Friday, January 30, 2009

Haida Faces

I think Haida art is super cool. I learned about it in art history classes I took in college. I actually know very little about it. I always wish I could remember everything I learned in those classes. (Link)
The coolest part, I think, is that the images are made up of many animal faces.(Link)
The Haida Native Americans live mostly in the Pacific Northwest.
I think most of these images are by comtemporary artists. Images like these are often carved, sometimes into wooden boxes. (Link)
I always get excited when I see Haida art and I would like to learn more about it.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Terrariums

I think terrariums are super cool and cute. These are all for sale on Etsy.
I like the little decorations people put in them!
I think this one could go in Amelie's apartment:Some are made with succulents:I love succulents! Isn't that little peep cute?I want to try making one. I know where I could get moss (Mom :) ), but where could I get cute little houses and animals and mushrooms?

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Shabu Ya

Rafael and I went to Shabu Ya in Harvard Square after our dance class tonight. Lovely Katie recommended it and it was super fun! It was really modern and space shipey inside:We tried the sushi. It was beautiful! Don't you love how the little orange fish eggs (I don't know the name) pop in your mouth? The soy sauce tea pot was super cute.Raf never misses an opportunity for a mango smoothie. He loved this one:It really was beautiful and Raf looks so sweet. :) We had shabu shabu (which is Korean) with beef, lamb, and lots of veggies and tofu. It was really delicious, especially the lamb. In case you don't know, shabu shabu is when you get a pot of steaming broth (on a hot plate built into the table... cool!) and raw ingredients which you cook in the broth yourself. There are different flavors of broth. There are also vegetarian options.They gave us some condiments (in the four little boxes) to mix into our sauce. They also brought around a cart of "complimentary veggies." It was so cute. We got some extra watercress and tofu. It was super fun and delicious! So interactive! For dessert we had beautifully presented green tea ice cream: I loooooooooove green tea ice cream! I pretty much love everything green tea flavored, I think. Then Raf played Street Fighter across the street:Totally rad dude!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Happy Birthday Rafael!

Mr. Cruz came to visit for Rafael's birthday! He gave Raf a soccer ball. Raf LOVES it and he's playing with it in the living room right now! He brought a delicious cake! Raf always does this::) It was a fun birthday party. We're having lots of fun with Mr. Cruz!

There are more birthday celebrations to come! Yay!

Last Chance Harvey

Rafael and I went to see Last Chance Harvey on Thursday night. We liked it a lot! Dustin Hoffman was really funny and Emma Thompson was really cute!
I liked the end better than the beginning, but I recommend the whole movie! It made Raf and me want to go to London.

Immersion Blender

I love my immersion blender! It's great for making things like smoothies, milkshakes, and soup! I'm sure there are other good uses too, I just haven't thought of them yet! Last Sunday it was snowy and boring (again) so I decided to make shakes with the orange sherbert I had from the spooky brunch (I know... kind of old ew). I didn't really add the vodka, but I thought it might be good for a nighttime drink sometime. I don't know why I bother with organic milk when I'm just going to eat cool whip but, oh well. Anyway, the drinks came out beautifully:

Then Raf and I started drinking them. For the first minute or two they were pretty good but then we realized.... we didn't like them that much! haha. So they mostly went down the drain. :( It was still really fun to use the blender and I've used it to make really good drinks before with frozen berries or real ice cream.

P.S. The plant in the picture still has cool whip on it. oops

Dim Sum Desserts

I really love custard desserts at dim sum. I'm a custard fan in general, and these are so good! Rafael and I had a lovely dim sum lunch with Mr. Cruz today. We had two custard desserts:
The first was warm buns filled with thick custard. They are amazing. I can't stop thinking about them. I might have to go back soon!We also had custard tarts like these. They are an old favorite. They have a flaky crust and smooth custard filling. I'm always happy when I eat them.

I really can't decide which dessert is my favorite! Maybe the custard buns.... I think I have to do more taste tests. :)

Mr. Cruz loved dim sum and is going to ask a friend which is the best place to go at the NYC Chinatown. I can't wait to try it! He is working on remembering the name, "dim.... sum!" Cute! :)

P.S. Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. I really want to post more so hopefully I will!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Zaftigs

Rafael and I had dinner at Zaftigs in Coolidge Corner Friday night. It was super fun and good! They have pictures of this lovely lady everywhere. :)
They serve bagel chips with herb cheese before the meal. I love it. Raf and I ate Zaftigs combos which are noodle kugel (my favorite), a potato knish, a cheese blintz, and a potato pancake. It was really delicious! I've had a few other things on the menu too like matzo ball soup and everything is so good. I love eating there.
I love how it's decorated too. It's totally relaxed and fun (but hard to get into for brunch)!Afterwards I felt a little Zaftig! :)

Friday, January 9, 2009

Traveling Seal

Did you hear about this cutie? She waddled 2 miles (approximately), even across a mini golf course (maybe), to have a trout feast at a fish hatchery in Cape Cod! So sneaky!

How did she know about it??? I love it when animals are funny!

Obama Cover

I know I'm a little late, but I saw this New Yorker cover a few days ago. I like it. :)