Happy One Year Anniversary, Don the Apron!

Hard to believe it’s been one year since we first started blogging! Since we’ve begun there’s been one international visit, two cross-continent moves, one graduation, spotlights on four countries (not including the US), and so much more… Don the Apron started as a way to keep in touch — it served its wonderful purpose and our friendship is stronger than ever.

Thank you to all the wonderful readers, and thank you to dear Co for all your love, food, and friendship! Here’s to whatever the next year brings…

xoxo

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Wordless Wednesday

Malaysia: Indian Spice Store

My mother and I were on our daily early morning walk… The tropical heat had not yet set in, and the light was clear and golden. We decided to stop into an Indian spice store we passed along the way.

Lemon and Thyme Fish en Papillote (Fish in Parchment)

A very happy Valentine’s day to all of you 🙂

When I was a very little girl I loved cutting things out of paper. The fact that one could fold a sheet in half, trim around, and then unfold a heart was amazing to me. I spent hours cutting out little hearts from tiny scraps of paper…

Japanese food with Taka

— Bumped up this post, because I found out today was Taka’s birthday… Happy birthday, dear!

I was cleaning out my computer and found these great pictures from San Diego.

Dinner Out

Over a dozen of my good friends recently came through town for a little reunion. We enjoyed a most fabulous time together, with delicious food (squid ink pasta!), good champagne, and most importantly, a lot of laughter. I think this picture pretty much sums up one of our many wonderful nights. 🙂

Happy Year of the Rabbit :)

So I’m several days late to the game… To be honest, I’m a bit bummed that I am not celebrating with my family — either my family in Iowa or those in Malaysia — and somehow in my old age I am getting a bit more nostalgic!

I did spend the eve of NYEve with friends at a local Szechuan (四川) Chinese restaurant (class schedules prevented us from actually meeting NYE as is traditional, dang you school for always getting in the way!), and we ate some delicious food, including the auspicious 饺子 (jiaozi = dumplings!) and a spicy lobster dish. The host and I were the two best with our chopsticks, so I played the role of Chinese mommy and took out lobster meat from the tricky shell for the other dinner-goers. We spent the night discussing traditions and just enjoying some time off. 🙂

Also, I meant to do a post with an easy Chinese New Year food, but things have been so hectic around here I couldn’t even get that together. Lol. So I am celebrating in my heart and sending love to everyone across the globe!

Does your culture have any holidays that are particularly family-oriented?