My Chinese New Year - the Year of the Earth Rat

My dear friends Zhangpeng and Pan Ling are celebrating their Chinese New Year - the Year of the Earth Rat.

February 7, 2008 - January 25, 2009

The Year of the Rat, the first in the cycle of the Chinese twelve yearly animal signs, is a time of hard work, activity and renewal. The Rat year is also said to be a good year to begin a new job, get married or make a fresh start.



Today Zhangpeng and Pan Ling presented me with a plate of round dumplings they made to celebrate the beginning of this New Year of their Chinese Lunar Calendar. Zhangpeng explained to me that the dumplings are called jiaozi in Chinese and that they are one of the traditional foods eaten during their New Year's celebration.




Chinese dumplings symbolize hope for prosperity in the coming year. Filled with meat, the round dumplings are a sign of family reunion. In northern China, where Pan Ling is from, families traditionally spend New Year's Eve together preparing the dumplings, which are then eaten at midnight. A coin is often hidden in one of the dumplings and it is believed that the person finding the coin when eating the dumplings will be blessed with exceptionally good fortune during the New Year.

Traditionally served with hoisin sauce, hot Chinese mustard and toasted sesame seeds, none of which I happen to have on hand, I try these dumplings with some of the mustards I brought back from my last trip to Leavenworth.

On the Trail Again - Between Rain Showers

Yesterday it seemed like rivers of rain were running down our trail so we cut our normal walk a little short. Determined to get some decent walking in today, we managed to log a good six miles on the higher trails through that beautiful wooded area - all between rain showers. Both Clifford and Torrie enjoyed their romp through the woods in their off-leash areas.

Before heading back to where we entered the trail system, I decided to walk over to the duck pond to see what was happening there today. With a little ice still remaining in the middle of the pond, several ducks were walking around on top of the ice. As we approached the beach, the ducks came over to great us.

So pleasantly paddling around, they would occasionally dive down, perhaps looking for a little afternoon snack.



Very peaceful out on the trails with just a slight sprinkle today. The air feeling so fresh and pure. One more beautiful day!

Coaxing the Orchid to Bloom

Full of beautiful, long-lasting blooms last spring when son Brian sent me home with this orchid, I've been trying my best to keep it healthy in order to coax another season of blooms. Looks like my efforts will be rewarded soon.

Tucked in between my spider plants and Christmas cactus in front of an easterly facing window, the plant seems to be thriving. Keeping it watered on a regular basis, I have been feeding it this winter with a smart-release outdoor and indoor plant food every four to six weeks. Providing a stake for the bloom spikes to rest, buds have formed and should be opening soon.

Stay tuned for updates as the buds begin to open.

NFL Super Bowl XLII

Giants 17 - Patriots 14

Today was Super Bowl Sunday! Lori graciously opened her home to host our Common Ground Super Bowl party. Whether we were rooting for the Patriots or the Giants, Lori's was the place to be for good friends, good food, good fun, and a great game!

We settle in to watch the game . . .

Although often snacking during the first half, we took a Tom Petty food break during half time . . .



Then it's back to the game . . .



Quoting Fox News report, "late into the fourth quarter, Eli Manning drove the Giants 83 yards down the field, and tossed the game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left in the Super Bowl" - yes, at that point we are all at the edge of our chairs. Great turnaround!

Oops, was that a little dent I noticed on Steve's car?


Thanks go to Al tonight for offering to let me follow his car to Interstate 5 as we were leaving. Not very familiar with that part of the county, especially in the dark, I always seem to have to turn around a time or two before I am actually headed in the right direction. Thank you, Al!

I think I need a Garmin!

Snow Day

I love that crunching sound as I walk through fresh snow!

A snow day, we set out this morning to walk the Bay to Baker Greenways Trail from Cornwall Park to Squalicum Beach and back again.

A chilly wind was blowing as we approached the beach.

My favorite tree on the beach - regardless of the season!

Torrie makes a friend so they run and play on the beach.

The tide rolls onto the beach and the wind blows.

Torrie can't resist the water so runs in for a quick swim.

Very little snow remains on this driftwood pile we find on the beach.

We head to the trail again for our walk back home.

Along the way, we pass rose hips (not mine!).

We pause at the overlook behind Birchwood Playfield and view the field between us and Squalicum Parkway.

Torrie even stops to roll in the snow!

Nearly home again, my feet are sufficiently wet. It is time to go in to warm up.

We've crunched enough snow for one morning.

A beautiful snow day!