Plum and Lion

Year of the Tiger

2010-02-14T12:05:00.003-05:00

Happy Chinese New Year. It's the year of the Tiger, and my mom is turning 60. She's an amazing force who raised my sister and I without my father's help. She gave up her personal needs in order to provide for us. When we got older, and were less, um, needy, she set her own priorities. This past December, she finished her last grad school class and got her masters. She is one relieved and happy woman. It's been a hard journey for her and she feels truly free (she calls me up and invites us over to dinner all the time now). And really this whole path while not without struggle was made only possible by moving to America.

We were lucky enough to come to America in the 80's on a plane, not on a boat. I'll elaborate on this story another time. I was recently lent an amazing book titled, Snakehead, written by Patrick Radden Keefe, about the human smuggling trade. In particular, it speaks about the wave of Chinese from Fujian province to New York in the 80's. There are many twists and turns in the book that made me think about our past and the struggles of immigrants. My head has been wrapped around these journeys, hardships for a while now, and I hope to address it with my work in the near future. It's an important subject for me, so I will share more in the future.

And a happy valentines day to my darling, Ross, and to you, my dear friends.

The Secret to BB&B

2010-02-12T11:03:00.000-05:00

BB&B, as in Bed Bath and Beyond sends everyone those annoying coupons every month. In our household, we'd save the current one, until they expired. Mostly just to buy the occasional Brita filter. In my opinion, BB&B is overpriced. So I almost never go there just to shop.

During Christmas, we got two BB&B gift cards, but were not ready to use them until all our coupons expired in January. There was too much dust in the apartment, and we just didn't have the cabinet space yet to put these kitchen items we wanted/ needed. We bought our items sans coupons. Then we found out, first through our former next door neighbor, then reconfirmed by our friend Marc, that BB&B coupons never expire. You can even bring old receipts with old coupons in and get a price adjustment. We got $20 back the other day with four old coupons. Well, now you know the secret too. It's a bizarre policy. But those coupons aren't so annoying anymore, because I can actually put them to use, whenever.

Thank you to Amy and Marc for shedding the light.

Return to the Scene of the Crime- Injustice

2010-02-11T10:18:00.002-05:00

The day after I heard the Return to the Scene of the Crime episode on This American Life, I found out that the police report on my recent car accident has misrepresented the incident. It was a minor event in which we were stopped at a red light and a car which turned too widely, side swiped us, breaking the driver's side mirror. She didn't know what happened, and still doesn't. While we are not facing a bill of $12,000 as the person in the story (poor guy), we are facing some payouts for damages on my vehicle. Injustice, ugh!

ps- The insurance company ruled in my favor. Relief.

Sleekness

2010-02-09T09:09:00.002-05:00

Dreaming of this sleek desk.

Triangular Rice Snack

2010-02-08T09:10:00.000-05:00

When I finally have that housewarming (uh not sure when), I know what I'm going to serve. Yes, it's just like me to think sooo far in advance of that meal. I often plan lunch before I've started on breakfast. Sometimes I just need that sort of reassurance before the day starts.

I found this funky Korean food recipe/ demo website called Maangchi via Jeana when she mentioned some noodle soup. After some poking around, I found a "recipe" for Samgak Kimbap (also known as onigiri)- it's a triangular shaped rice ball of sorts. This used to be a staple during my summers in Taiwan. The 7-11's carry them, and I would grab one or two for a snack or lunch. While the kit that is recommended for making Samgak Kimbap includes lots of plastic, it's very, very appealing. I might have to buy it and experiment with some fillings before the aforementioned (who knows when) housewarming.

The Jane

2010-02-05T09:02:00.000-05:00

Instead of a dining table, I think I should save up for the Jane. I wish it came in another color, like dark brown. So out of reach...

While I'm at it, I also like these oxfords. And I really am in need of a pair of comfortable walking shoes as all my current ones are wearing down. Alas, my debt to my contractor NEEDS to be paid off.

On the Spice Trail

2010-02-04T13:20:00.000-05:00

While hurrying home one chilly night, we got hit with a warm wave of delicious smelling curry. The next night we were sitting inside Mehfil having a super cozy and delicious meal with Geoff. We ordered saag paneer (my go-to fav comfort Indian dish), Chicken Biryani, Vegetable Jalfrazie, Lamb Kurma, and a naan. Everything was so um um good satisfying. I am relieved to actually find an Indian restaurant two blocks from the new place that I can say is really good.

Candace and Nina, we should have go for the buffet one weekend!

Warm sandy beach

2010-02-03T08:52:00.002-05:00

Part of what kept me going through the winter and the never ending process of renovating is the light at the end of the tunnel. In this case the light will be shining down on my vitamin D deprived face in Los Cabos, Mexico. (A friend from down the hall at work gave me some capsules of vitamin D the other day because I look so deprived of daylight!) I'm headed there in two weeks with R and his family. I am very much looking forward to the break even though I'm not much of a beach person. I get pretty restless sitting at the beach. So if you've been to Los Cabos and have some cultural pointers, please send them my way.

(Inspirational pics courtesy of my friend Emily who went to Los Cabos a couple of years ago.)

D on Hippolyte Bayard

2010-02-02T16:50:00.001-05:00

There is a wonderful interview with my good friend, brilliant yet pensive photographer, Domingo Milella on Hippolyte Bayard. It gives a good feel of not only what his thoughts are on his photography but also a good dose of his charming and serious personality.

Nuts for Peter

2010-01-26T14:29:00.006-05:00

I guess I lied and have been gone from the blog for a month now. I have a pretty darn good excuse though. We've finally moved!!! While I'm not ready to share the whole messy process I thought I would share this recipe.

I had a batch of really addictive spiced nuts at Candace's last Christmas and really wanted the recipe. Then I started looking around for recipes online but didn't love the combos other people made so this is a recipe that I came up with that combines ingredients and portions I found in different recipes, suited to my love of savory-ness. I've made it twice now and have tweaked it to my taste. My colleague Peter has asked for this recipe so it's for him but I thought other people might want to try it as well. It's super easy and takes all of 5 minutes to prep and 15 minutes in the oven. Enjoy!

Spicy Nuts

5 cups of raw nuts (I prefer almonds, cashews, pecans, and walnuts)
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp of cayenne powder (you can obviously adjust this to your taste but I like the heat!)
1 tbsp of dried rosemary (I imagine fresh works just as well)
1 tbsp of cumin
1 tsp of sea salt
1/2 tbsp of brown sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with foil.

Mix nuts in a mixing bowl, coat with olive oil. Add spices while tossing nuts to coat evenly. Be aware that pecans and walnuts have lots of crevices and will be spicier and saltier than other nuts. You can taste as you go along if you think less or more of a spice might suit your taste more. Spread nuts on cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until more or less dried looking, but not burnt. Turn nuts on cookie sheet every 4 or 5 minutes to ensure even roasting. Let cool on baking sheet, store in an air tight container.

Joseph Banda's Wish

2009-12-22T10:16:00.003-05:00

The other day I heard this wonderful broadcast on WNYC about a thirteen year old boy from a slum in Zambia named Joseph Banda who after this initial story on his slum, Chibolya the listeners of BBC offered to pay for a flying lesson for Joseph, who would like to become a pilot and start a fund for his education. This story about Joseph Banda's wish has stayed with me this whole week. The charm and the dream of this young boy and his wonder as he takes off into the air and looks at the slums from a different perspective has been a warming story. It is with this story of hope that I leave you this week for Christmas and join my family for some holiday cheer. Happy holidays dear friends. I wish you warmth and well wishes as we draw 2009 to a close. I'll pop in again some time next week.

The NYPL holiday party

2009-12-17T09:38:00.000-05:00

It doesn't feel quite like Christmas time to me yet, I don't know if it's the odd weather or just that I've been so engrossed in renovations I haven't had a chance to think about it. I was invited to attend the New York Public Library's annual holiday open house party with my favorite little girls which made me get into the spirit of it all. Camile and Juiszelle, by the way, aren't so little any more (they will soon be taller than me). We had a blast attending the magic/ juggling show. They obviously enjoyed the face painting part, the multiple sword balloons they got and used to battle Ned (their neighbor), plus all the cookies and punch they wanted. The crafts tables were excellent as well. I really enjoyed seeing Mr. Scrooge, Mother Goose, Dorothy, the people walking around on stilts, and the Library completed decorated! To get invited, all you have to do is become a NYPL member. Totally worth it, especially if you have kids.

NYPL holiday party, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

My little shooting star, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

The other funky little star, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Making Snowflakes, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

I had never seen this "modern" part of the building before. I love the staircase.

NYPL stairs, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Musical entertainment, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

My Pittsburgh Pirate(s)- Pburg Part 2

2009-12-16T10:15:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd do a post introducing you to the people I hang out with in Pittsburgh. This haggard guy drags me across PA every major holiday and I comply, because I love him and his people.

My Pittsburgh Pirate, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Here's a good bit of the looney lot hanging out in downtown Pitt.

Left to right: Margot, James, Lorna, Alan, Anna and Ben on the bottom. (R's uncle & aunt and cousins)

The Gavins, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Ross' aunt Lorna with his mom, Barbara, smiling away.

Lorna and Barb, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Baby Ben, a new addition in the family, that I doted on over the ENTIRE Thanksgiving weekend. We had a blast with him- so much so that I want to steal him, for real.

Ben Gavin, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Chrissy (R's niece) drawing with James. The boys adore her, it's so cute.

Chrissy and James, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

And once again, my sweetheart looking only halfway goofy this time.

R @ McConnells Mills, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Pburg Part 1

2009-12-16T09:19:00.001-05:00

Most of my friends (you out there!) have never been to Pittsburgh. I've now been a countless number of times and can now show you a tad of what I've seen. So here's part 1 of a 2 part series on the city and people that have become a second home & family.

Here's the view of the city from Mount Washington.

View from Mt. Washington, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Ross' uncle, Alan, loves taking us to McConnells Mills, where there are several nice hiking trails.

McConnells Mills, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Wholey's a downtown fish market is an institution like the Fulton Fish Market was. Don't try the sushi stand in there, it's not very good.

Wholey's, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

And really who needs 10 lbs of chittlins?

10 lbs. of Chittlins, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

There's a new doughnut shop down in the Strip that we followed the scent trail to.

bubbling, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

They did not disappoint. I like the ones without the sugar coating.

fresh mini doughnuts, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Ok, so it's not a very diverse assortment of what Pittsburgh really looks like. I'll try and take more photos next week, when we're there for Christmas.

Moving On

2009-12-15T09:51:00.000-05:00

Slowly, I am thinking about the other rooms in the apartment. We're (or more appropriately my Mom is) springing for a new floor in the living room. It's an ultra generous Christmas gift. We will do wood and I would love it if we could somehow figure out how to do a herringbone pattern and be within budget. Keep your fingers crossed. I love herringbone floors, here's one from the main NYPL.

Herringbone Floor @NYPL, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

For the kitchen we will have subway tiles as a back splash. Maybe stacked like the photo below, as opposed to staggered, which is what's going in the bathroom. We like the idea of cork floors but if it's not readily available or within budget, we will buy 12x24in. ceramic charcoal gray tiles just like the ones below.

12x24 floor tile, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

And this would come later but if could, I'd love to redo our currently hideous radiator covers. Something like this one below would be nice.

radiator cover vent, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

I know, I know, I think about such glamorous things ALL the time.

The Half Baked Bathroom

2009-12-14T13:45:00.000-05:00

The bathroom should be finished this week. It's not quite so raw anymore. We replaced the old tub with a new Kohler cast iron tub. And it's completely opened up, though still a tad narrow.

Kholer cast iron tub, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

We decided to go classic New York and get subway tiles for the walls and hex tiles for the floor.

Subway Tile, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

We're putting in this rectangular vessel sink on top of a stand that Ross is currently building. We're having a piece of corona marble cut as the counter top.

Vessel Sink, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

We're almost done shopping (so close)! We just have to buy a toilet and we're aiming for a TOTO Ultimate though we'd love a one piece dual flush (can't find one readily available). I cannot wait until THIS week is over!

In the midst of it all

2009-12-11T16:58:00.003-05:00

This has been a busy week which included taking a day off in the middle of the week to go tile shopping. We unfortunately chose the crappiest day to go (torrential rain is not lovely). I'll post some photos of the lovely tiles as soon as I have a minute to download pics but this NY Times article, Renovating a Rental as if It Were Their Own, is my current inspiration. They did a beautiful job on their rental, though I have to say that they are nuts for going all out on a rental. I love the bathroom sink as it's what I want. Ours will be similar, but not as slick. Ok, see you in a bit.

Nowhere in Africa

2009-12-07T09:43:00.001-05:00

The other night, we stayed up watching Nowhere in Africa (Nirgendwo in Afrika), a German film about a Jewish family that immigrates to Kenya before the outbreak of WWII. It was a moving film for the descriptions of the change the family had to go through, particularly in their marriage as they struggled through the years.

Raspberry Pancakes

2009-12-06T11:00:00.000-05:00

Raspberry Pancakes, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

I just wanted to drop in and show you how sweet Ross is. I love spending my weekends with him.

Sew Mama (Ross) Sew

2009-12-05T10:56:00.001-05:00

James, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Ross and I are totally on a budget this year for Christmas. And we stressed for a couple of days about it as we have quite a large number of family members that we are gifting. We kindly reminded ourselves that it's the thought and the ability to be able to gather together for the holidays that counts. So we thought about it, a bunch. We traditionally give handmade (as much as possible) but this year we're raising the bar for ourselves by giving more handmade. Many of our ideas are gathered from Sew Mama Sew's Handmade Holidays. Every year for the month of November Sew Mama Sew posts daily handmade gift themes with great ideas and tutorials. There are so many ideas to sift through, one is bound to work for someone you love.

This weekend, we'll be on the mission of getting the first part of the gifts finished so we can package them. We have to admit that we're having trouble making anything for the men. It's tough when the guys like cars and other things that aren't craft-able. We do plan on making James (above) into a little man with this mustache. (shhh, dont tell!)

Have a happy weekend!

The Demo Begins!

2009-12-04T14:23:00.000-05:00

After three weeks of searching, interviewing, and getting proposals from four contractors, I finally settled on my building's contractor. I decided on him primarily based on the fact that he was willing and able to do everything I asked him to do, in a short time span. We signed the contract Wednesday night and demolition started Thursday morning. There is the great advantage that he has an absolute in with the building's super, manager, and board president (he was recommended by all three of them- semi-suspect, I know). With Christmas on the horizon, and a friend flying in in January, I want to try and get settled as soon as possible.

Here's the foyer, all covered up. Ross has already repainted it a pale grey though it looks yellow in this photo.

Foyer during Reno, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

The fridge is getting moved to the opposite side of the kitchen. In order to do that, we knocked out one closet so we can set it back into its own niche.

Kitchen, looking at fridge niche, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

The two closets in the hallway were removed to accommodate the fridge and the expansion of the bathroom. We have decided that we will set up closet space in the bedroom instead.

Gutted hallway outside of bathroom, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

The bathroom will be a total redo. This sucker is eating up ALL of my savings.

Full view of gutted bathroom, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

And here's where the bathroom went. See what I mean about trying to make a dent in being green with renovations?

Bedroom filled with Trash, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Now off to go shopping for materials with Harry, the plumber (aka my contractor).

Build It Green NYC

2009-12-04T10:29:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned Build it Green here before but I thought I would post these pics to give you an idea of what the place looks like. It's a fabulous resource for low cost building materials, and loads of other stuff. These materials are kept out of landfills, which makes me feel like I'm at least attempting to be green.

BIGNYC, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

It's a bit of a trek to it on the outer edge of Astoria but it's definitely an art student's (or person on a budget's) dream resource.

My Prints available on The Feature Shoot Shop right now!

2009-12-02T16:57:00.004-05:00

Three of my prints (shown below) are available on the Feature Shoot Shop including one of my all time favorites, Balls, from the Lofoten Islands in Norway. Thanks Alison!

Balls, Lofoten Islands, Norway Rona Chang

Stuck, Huacachina Oasis, Peru Rona Chang

Ring Toss, Wuhan, China Rona Chang

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T10:38:00.003-05:00

first meal in new apt., originally uploaded by plumandlion.

We had our first meal in the apartment two weeks ago. It was a "picnic" of sorts with pizza and empanadas from the Farmer's Market across the street. We arrived at the tail end of the market season and can't wait for it to start up again in the Spring. I will spend the next month or so with renovation anxiety but I am content and realize how fortunate I am to be able to purchase a share of this building.

As I gather with Ross' family for Thanksgiving, I am happy to be with them and look forward to many more holiday gatherings with the Minzenbergs. We hope to host a holiday at the new digs one day. Right now we are joined by family from across the country and across the pond, with cute little English accents! I hope you are enjoying the warmth of family this holiday whether it's small or large. Happy Thanksgiving.

Temple Eatery

2009-11-24T09:07:00.001-05:00

Temple Eatery, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

My cravings for Taiwanese eats have increased as I see no way of getting back there within the foreseeable future. I tried out this stand at the Flushing Mall a couple of weeks ago with the tantalizing Temple Entrance Small Eatery sign. The Temple refers to the Temple at the Keelung Night Market in Northern Taiwan which is famous for all the delicious small eats and the throngs of people gathered there to eat.

Fatty pork over rice, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

I sat down and proceeded to order one of the most unhealthy things on the menu, fatty pork over rice with sides of bamboo shoots, greens, and an egg. It's something I don't even normally eat that when I'm in Taiwan (because it's too fatty and I don't eat that much pork) but somehow I ended up ordering and enjoying it. I've managed to be in Flushing more lately and I think it's a good opportunity to discover some small eats, and possible find some new favs.

The Incredible Edible Egg, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

This is a box that I spotted on the side of the eatery and thought had a wonderful graphic quality to them. Charming, huh?!