SCPL Chrismas Parade 2010

Despite the rain and chilliness, we finished our 2010 Christmas parade on Pacific Avenue at 11:20 am. It is inspiring to see so many smiling faces and encouraging words from two sides of Pacific. It is also comforting to know that the community loves our public libraries.

Paul and Nick joined me as part of spectators and parade photographer. Here is the site to link to 128 parade photos courtesy of Titangos Photography Studio.

Meeting Father Pavlos

Last Sunday, Paul and I were fortunate enough to meet Geronta Pavlos from St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai. He was a special guest of Father Marks. It is really touching to see them do the service together.

Through Sister Joanna, Geronta Pavlos delivered his memorable lecture on the right attitude toward Sunday services and communions: you need to go to Sunday services early, or you will miss the holy ghost; you need to fast for the communion. It will not do you any good if you have not.

More sites about St. Catherine's Monastery:
1. Orthodoxwiki
2.Sacred Sites

We were blessed and had photos with him via iPhone.

It's That Time Again: Happy Halloween

On the eve of Halloween, Lee Anne has sent her yearly greeting again:

My New Afghans

Courtesy of Titangos Photography Studio, my three newest baby blankets are online.

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3.

My First Acquaintance with Gim-bap

Lee Anne has made us 9 rolls of Gim-bap. For some reasons, my mind was still thinking of them sushi.

As it turns out, Gim-bap or Gimbap or kimbap is a popular Korean dish, similar to sushi, in the sense of preparing for ingredients such as gim (seaweed sheet), steamed white rice mixed with salt, vinegar and sugar, spinach, danmuji (pickled daikon radish), fish, eggs, etc. The taste is also similar.

However there are some differences existing between Gim-bap and sushi, according to Lee Anne. Gim-bap is spiced and served with radish kimchi (무김치). Its cooked rice is sprinkled with sesame oil. The fish used in it is called fish cake, and spinach is sauteed with garlic.

A very clever way Lee Anne uses to roll Gim-Bap is cover bamboo mat with freezer bag. Once rolling is done, discard the bag and no hard washing is needed.

What a fun afternoon to see how Gim-bap is made!

Patchwork Flowered Afghan

Thanks to Titangos' Photography Studio, my latest afghan has come into being. More photos are available for viewing at his Flickr site. The pattern is based on Nicky Epstein's Cover Up with color modifications.

Happy Mother's Day

Photo Courtesy Lee Anne

What Is We the People Bookshelf?

Congratulations to Janis who has recently won a grant from National Endowment for the Humanities. Four regional libraries will receive three titles as part of We the People Bookshelf collection on the theme of "A More Perfect Union." They are searchable either by title or subject. The followings are those grant titles:

1. The Civil War (DVD);
2. Declaring independence : the origin and influence of America's founding document; &
3. The Civil War : an illustrated history.

Happy Easter!

Lee Anne has sent her kids to bring us Easter eggs:

Happy St. Patrick's Day

As usual Lee Anne has sent her early St. Patrick's greetings to brighten our day. It features her little leprechaun Nicolette in her pot 'o gold. The hat was especially made for this photo-shoot by one of her student workers who happens to be a wizard with crochet needles.

New Lighthouse Afghans

Courtesy of TITANGOS PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO, two lighthouse afghans are displayed here:

New Baby Afghan

Thanks to the faithful photography of TITANGOS PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO, a new baby blanket is entering the world:

Happy Tiger Year, Valentine & Other Feb. Holidays!

Courtesy of Lee Anne Kolker:

My Niece's New Enterprise

Stephanie Wang, my younger niece, has recently launched a new site: hunnybees on etsy. It is her and her classmates' first business endeavor as well as artistic collaboration. It is very elegantly designed and all products are beautifully presented. Please check it out!