Recently my Facebook feed has inundated with posts about Mommy Wars. Or how hard it is to be a mom these days. I asked a friend back in the states what was going on. She said, "You have no idea. Ever since Pintrerst, birthday parties are freaking insane. Everything is crazy! Parents go nuts and I just can't keep up."
Hmm, just add this little war to the list of things I do not miss about living in the US at the moment.
I don't feel any pressure to be anything other than the mom I am. I do the best I can for my kids and worry about them and them alone. There is no keeping up with the Jones' here, no judgment of other moms and how they parent-we are all from different countries and backgrounds and yet we are all just making it work and teaching our kids to be happy, free and fun. We help each other, not bring each other down. It is natural and easy. Why busy yourself with anything else?
Living abroad strips life down to what is really important. This may be one of biggest things I take away from living abroad. Kids just seem more free here and parents, at least this parent, as it turns out are certainly much more free without all the drama of the so called Mommy Wars.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Fernando's in Macao
No ketchup, no baby seat...
but great food and drink!
Visiting HK and want a break? Head to Macao and skip the casinos and take a stroll back in time to a place where things are still exactly the same as they once were. SInce 1986, this family run restaurant has been serving up simple and delicious Portuguese food. I recommend the whole chicken with potatoes and do not miss the pudding, it is like flan but oh so much better.
At the end of your meal, the staff just roll everything up inside the classic table cloths....
The decor!
The Kitchen!
Everyone is happy. You may have to wait for a seat, but it is worth it!
Hole in the wall places are sometimes the best!
Old adverts are still the most eye-catching!
Hit Fernando on your next trip to HK and you wont be disappointed!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Artichokes in Hong Kong
These babies don't hit the super market shelves. That's right, I called on my foodie friends who import goods to hotels and restaurants in Hong Kong once again...
We have been enjoying this tastes of home all week.
I like to boil my artichokes in about 4 inches of water with a splash of balsamic, bay leaves and a slice of lemon. I trim the leaves and the tops as well as the bottoms to stand them flat. Remove the little leaves from the bottom before and soak in salty water for about 20 mins. before cooking. Bring water and seasoning to a boil, place the chokes inside the pot and cover-reduce to a simmer and cook until leaves come off easily. My foodie friends like to grill them and dip in mayo. I like to dip my leaves and heart into a butter and balsamic mix with a sprinkle of salt and lemon juice.
Trimming each leaf takes a little extra time,
but I think it is worth it and you don't get pricked as you eat.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Mardi Gras all the way In Hong Kong
Being PTA President has it perks. Like being able to come up with the theme
of the World Fair day at my son's school.
I choose Carnival and it was so much fun. We had a Rio room, a India room, a German room and of course, a Mardi Gras room. Each rooms showed off how that place celebrates carnival.
I learned a lot about all the different celebrations around the world and I taught a lot of folks
about how we do it in the Big Easy!
The World Fair is educational and fun for the kids-here is how we set up the New Orleans Carnival....
Volunteer moms work on building a live oak tree. We ahd facts about live oaks all around the room.
Shoe box floats will contstucted and painted by volunteer moms!
A bald Cypress was made out of cardbord and some weird materia that looks just like Spanish Moss!
Cyrpess knees and crawfish holes taught the children about the swamps and root systems.
We talked about the difference between alligators and crocodiles.
Fun Mardi Gras facts-like the success of Mardi Gras is measured in trash!
Our parade with history facts below.
The craft table where children made candy necklaces and other crafts.
Our Swamp!
Fun!
I am so proud to call New Orleans home
and I was so proud to teach the children
and parents all about Mardi Gras.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Rubber Ducky-You're the one!
Hello huge rubber duck in the Victoria Harbor!
Look for the duck all around the world this year!
For more info-click here.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Chocolate and Rose Pedicure at the Mandarin Hong Kong
This was a fantastic treat. I received it from the boys for
Valentine's Day and just recently used it! What an indulgent day!
The Mandarin is one of my very favorite places in Hong Kong. I love their spa and their restaurants, even just using the restrooms there are a treat! You can't go wrong with a spa treatment for any holiday!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Vietnam
A business trip for hubby meant a weekend get away for the two of us without kids!
We escaped to Ho Chi Minh to relax, see the sites and check out Vietnam.
Post Office
Markets!
Cathedral
Motor Bikes everywhere! I kept thinking there was a parade or something coming-but it is just a constant stream of motor bikes all the time!
Kyle gets a taste of just how heavy coconuts can be!
Shoes! Lots of blingy shoes everywhere!
Vietnam still seems raw to me, but then there are BIG brands moving in, and it makes me think otherwise. One thing is for sure, the old mixes with the new.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Mochi and Cherry Blossoms
The two things I am looking forward to the most....
We are off to Japan for a vacation and I wanted to talk a little about a treat I am sure to enjoy while there. Mochi. Not familar with the treat? It is iceream wrapped in chewy rice paper. They can be good or bad but once you've had the good, the bad is just really really bad. I became a fan at Nobu and have since become a critic and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to test and taste many different good varieties in Japan.
Our trip will take us to Tokyo and Kyoto. Just in time for the blooming cherry blossoms!
The earliest bloom ever! We hit it right!
Sayonara!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Imported Food
Some friends of ours import food from the US to HK. I've mentioned them before here. I was lucky enough to split a crate of imported fruit and veggies last week. On the menu-Jerusalem artichokes, best of the best long stem strawberries and big fat juicy raspberries and broccolini. We have been eating well. These items don't hit the grocery-they go straight to restaurants-so we are very lucky to get our hand on them!
I used Jamie Oliver's receipe here for amazing Jerusalem artichokes
HUGE!
The littlest roux can't get enough!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Lace Cookies out of Season
Lace Cookies are a Christmas treat in my house. I made them for friends this holiday season and received so many compliments-I mean how could you not like them-butter-sugar...thats about all...anyway-some friends moved into a new apartment and I made an out of season batch for them and it was really fun and well received. Made me feel and my house smell like Christmas all over again.
Do you ever make things out of season? What's the best?
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Bamboo Chairs
I fell in love with these little chairs when I saw them in China the other week.
One great thing about China is the bespoke furniture industry,
but I like these just the way they are-all they need is a table to match.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Mardi Gras made in China
While I am far away from Nola this Mardi Gras day,
I know I am not actually too far from where all the throws are produced.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Fist homemade King Cake attempt
KING CAKE in Hong Kong?!?
There is no king cake in Hong Kong. The pineapple bun is the closest thing and people eat pancakes on 'Shrove Tuesday'-HELLO! It's Mardi Gras! This year I was inspired by my uncle and decided I would make my own. My fist attempt was ok. I burned it a bit on one side (thanks convection oven) and left a little too many air bubbles in the dough-but practice makes perfect.... and practice I did. No onee seemed to mind! And finally got the perfect traditional king cake!
