Monday, December 31, 2012

Ringing out the old year (2012)...

   ... thinking back, I can't really say that 2012 was not a good year for me.
The biggest reason of course, is my LaoPo! No matter how much we need to struggle/adjust to the sometimes lousy Economy, it always seems to be brighter when I come home and be with my Wife.

   In addition, Qing's Son being here too (since June) is in many way harder on us... but on the other side... more of a complete Family. Even though, I can see... my LaoPo sometimes would like to send him back to his Dad. I, on the other hand are use to Kids of any age at this point... from my first marriage. One thing I've learned and that is "Patience" and I have enough for both Qing and myself it seems.

   This weekend is kind of a disappointment in the sense going somewhere Fun, as Qing works four days in a row that I'm off work myself. So for New Year's, we are going to the Movie Theater to see the "Hobbit" movie and that at a 10:05pm starting time today. So we will be watching it from 2012-2013, as it is close to three hours long and in 3D.

   I think, it will be fun for all of us... I hope at least!

Friday, December 28, 2012

The "Unusual" Christmas Eve Dinner.

Because Qing and I decided this Holiday to stay at home and have a quiet Christmas for a change, we needed to come up with... what will our special Dinner be?

Thinking it over didn't actually take that long. Hence we had bought a "Hot-Pot"(*) heating unit a week ago, along with all the necessary items. Such as, the Broth-base (a Mild and a Spicy one) and whatever we were going to put in there to eat.

At first it sounded of course strange (to me at least) not having a Turkey or a Ham for Christmas. That faded fast though, the minute I saw what all Qing was preparing around this Hot Pot Bowl.

Let me see... I had very thin sliced Tri-Tip Steak ready to go, which was not easy... because Qing wanted it so thin that one could almost look through it. Then came... large Shrimp-Pork Balls-Shrimp Balls-Beef Balls-Fish Balls (good thing "Mine" were safe)- Spinach-Mushrooms-Noodles and to dip it all in before stuffing it down... a special Sauce (a la Shanghaiese) just for this occasion.

When we were done, I must say... this was as good as any Turkey/Ham Dinner (if not better) that I ever had.

Here is a Photo (sorry... I forgot to take it before we started) in the middle of this delicious Feast.

(*) Hot-Pot... for those that don't know what that is, I try to explain.

This dish is very common and loved by most People in China and by Westerner's ones they visit China, something they should NOT miss.
It is started by having a large Bowl (which can be "Single" or "Split" for two different Broth's) in the center of your Table. The Broth is heated from below during the whole time your eating and if the Broth ever runs low, will be refilled/topped-off by you or the Restaurant.

Then you Order whatever suits your fancy... Meat/Fish/Vegetables ect... and "You" cook it for yourself til it is to your taste... done.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Let the Baking begin!

    Monday was for us a kick-back day, so I decided... hence we bought a new Stove with a Convection Oven... to try my hand in Baking. On the menu was to be my "First" Cheesecake ever. Surfed the internet for a receipt that catched my Eye and of to the Market for a few items still needed.


   Made the Crust (that tested my patience right of the bat), because going up the sides about two inches on the Pan... the Graham/Walnut/Butter mixure did not want to stick in certain spots at first. Have "Elmer's" will bake! haha... I could see my LaoPo now?

   The filling was much easier and all went into the pre-heated oven, which was to be baked at 375 deg. (also 350 deg. Convection temp) for about 30 minutes (also Conv. time). Both of us kept looking every 10 minutes or so through the Glass door to see whats happening. When the timw was up, the Cake had risen to double it's height. Open the door and test with a Toothpick, not even near done?? After scratching the few hairs on my head, I put it back for another 15 min., still not done... and another 15 min.? But by now it at least showed some browning on top and after one hour it was finally ready.

   Cooling had dropped it back down to half the height again (normal) and it actually looked pretty good. We did not cut into it till yesterday, before going for a visit over to our Neighbor's house for some Coffee. Myself, I think my Aunt makes the best Cheesecake that I ever tasted... this one (my opinion) was quite good. I let Qing be the actual Judge here though. Her reaction was somewhat of a surprise, she look and sounded like... this is the best Cheesecake she ever tasted. Later our Neighbors did likewise enjoy it equally.

   Now on to more practice and more daring Baked goods, just have the get the timing straightened out.



Saturday, December 22, 2012

Disappointed as usual...

Not that I expected it otherwise this time around.

Once again, as it is getting closer to Christmas... I've told Qing that it is time for me (us) to go to the Cemetery and leave something for Nancy. It was either going to be a little X-mas Tree or some Flowers. I decided on Flowers this time. As I was buying them, I also was thinking of Gary too.

So here we are, Qing-Tianchi and me driving from Palmdale down to honor/remember both Nancy and Gary. Both of which I see (or it at least seems that way), are never thought of much by any Family member... even though they live closer than us.

As I have stated before, out of the many times I visit the Grave-site's... they are 99% empty of any signs that somebody is thinking of them.

Over the years, yeah... talk is cheap like they say. Oh.. I was always the closest to my Mom, blah  blah blah... I can see that now. Well, it goes to show... "Action" always speak louder then "Words"! I don't want to hear "Excuses" why we can't or wont go... there are "No" excuses for acting/doing nothing. Not even on Christmas or their Birthdays?

Shame on all of them not willing, as I have nothing/zero/nada reason to be ashamed. 


Some of them (not need to mention names) always talk about how close to God they are and I am not. Let me tell them, are you really "Blessed" in your Life.. as I am? I truly feel sometimes, that I am blessed more than I deserve... then again, maybe God (since he know best) thinks I do deserve what I now have. I know exactly what I have, I cherish it and I also know whom to thank for it.


One more thing, I will thank my LaoPo... seems even she has "More" respect for my late Wife than her own Kids/Family does. 
Do I need to say any more?


Anyway, Nancy/Gary... you are in my Heart and always will be there! Merry Christmas, a day that belongs to the Son (our Lord and Savior) of God... Amen! 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Michel de Nostradame

... also known as Nostradamus!
Born on (now they are not sure I see)the 14th or 21st of December 1503.

By now I'm sure most People know that many Predictions by him actually came to be, well after his Death on July 2nd 1566. The latest goes along with the Mayan's Calendar, that states... the World as we know it will end or some kind of new beginning? There have been many times the World was to come to an end, but we are still here. Will we be, after the 21st.. we'll just have to see.

One thing that I know for sure will end on that day, is my Blog will no longer be "Public".

I will still able Friends and Family (that are interested)to come and read, but I do not care for People that I don't know (and most likely never will) from Countries like Russia/Ukraine. Don't get me wrong; I like to have Readers/Friends from all over the World (and I have), but I do like to know who these Person's are and I think I have a right to know!

So come Dec.21, anybody still wants to read my up-dates can send me a note to my E-Mail (if they already have it) or PM me through the www.chnromance.net website. I will be glad to invite everyone, after they Identify themselves.

Sorry if this cause's inconvenience and make it more difficult to get here, but it will give me added piece of mind and less worry.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

12-12-12... do we still get a Baker's dozen on this day?

Not that I'm now going to ask at a Bakery, if I receive thirteen (13) and only pay for twelve.

Everyone reading my Blog, knows (or should know) that Qing and I got married (Ceremony wise) on 08-08-08... at the Marriage Registry on 05-09-08. So this is one of those days/months/year are sharing the same numerals. This will be the last for many years to come and we have to start over with the number one (1), like 01-01-2101... am I right?
This would be my last "Tripple"... heck it's everybody's last, that is out of School and enjoys today's special date on the Calendar.

Now, I'm going to try to post this... you guessed it! At exactly 12:12pm, if my trigger-finger is not too nervous... we'll see!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

December... here already!

As December '12 has arrived, the last couple weeks were pretty interesting... TV wise.

If any of you have followed H2 (The History Channel), you'd know what I'm talking about.

Of course, what I was watching... had to do with a certain date in our time. December 21st 2012, which is now less than three weeks away. So many "Fact's", can one really say... this is all a Hoax? I for one are not afraid, if it in Fact was our last day on Earth. Don't get me wrong though, I like to continue living as all of you. I do have after all, the most wonderful LaoPo and I definitely don't want our exceptionally special Marriage to come to an abrupt end.

Also showing, was about Ancient Aliens. Again, so much proof of us being visited by more intelligent Being (or whatever you want to call them). Put both of these Programs together and one can see, they point to this very date in so many ways... it is scary.

Anyway, here in our part of town/home... the weekend passed now like any other. Both days filled with nothing else but... "Work"!

Saturday, it was time to put up the "Christmas Tree"(the first for Tianchi) and outside lighting on the house. He was very helpful, as those were exciting chores for him.
Sunday, was my day to use some of my remaining Muscles. Qing and I had purchased a new Gas Range to match our new cooking Vent, also all Stainless Steel. This unit had five burners (including one Turbo burner) and is a Convection Oven and much more.

I had brought it home on Wednesday, but I wanted to wait for Sunday... besides, I still had to buy a new Gas-line (connection pipe) for it.




Now I am here; relaxing and adding a Post/Photo's, what could be soon one of my last Entry......???