This weekend marked an epic one as my entire immediate family came to visit.  This was a rare and happy occasion since one of my brothers lives in Seattle.  He also brought his fiancée with him whom I’d never met.  On top of that, we were celebrating my mama’s birthday!  Needless to say, I was brimming with excitement!!

Mama’s specially requested birthday soup {meuntang}

The birthday cake {raspberry cheesecake}

J’s stuffed ravioli.

We spent a great deal of time fishing and these were the fruits of our labor.  We caught shrimp, crab, and clams and turned it into a massive seafood boil for supper one night.

Daddy grew up in a fishing town and he’s definitely got the magic touch.  He was so lucky that he even found one while we were swimming.  To the left is mom rubbing her finger because she got too close to the crab.  If I owned a fish eye lens, I could have captured all the chuckling faces.

When we weren’t fishing, we were rocking on the porch watching the sun set and listening to baby brother strum his guitar, gobbling lots of homemade treats and playing my new favorite game.

One of those lazy afternoons, we all discovered these growing right in my backyard.

Muscadines and walnuts!  So guess who’s as excited as a kid on Christmas morning?!

We also took a ferry to one of my favorite places in the world, the aquarium.

My sweet future sister-in-law.

I miss y’all already!

Love,

Your Squishy Monster ^.~

My baby brother, David came home this weekend and we were able to finally celebrate his 21st birthday {from last month}.  Better late than never!  He and my other baby brother have birthdays just a single day apart.  Daniel, we all miss and love you so very much!  Cheers to another full and happy year!!

His first legal drink, beef bourguignon, and birthday cake.

A lazy day basking in the sun with baby brother after bellies filled with burritos and ice cream.

Thai with mama and kimbap with baby brother.

A collaborative effort of making jam.

Homemade pretzels by J…

this + hot buttery pretzels: 2 reasons why I fell for J.

I discovered these on sale at my local market and boy am I loving these!  They’re light, delicate, and so aromatic, it’s like a spa experience in my mug!!  I’m also loving that these have bleach-free bags so I’m happy to toss them into a hot bath with me or in my compost pile too.

Speaking of super sale, I scored 50 boxes of absolutely free pasta with an in-store promotion + manufacturer coupons.  These are happily finding a forever home at the local shelter for pack away hunger.
And a quick trip to the new Indian market.

I hope y’all had a lovely weekend!

New video coming at you tuesday!

Love,

Your Squishy Monster ^.~

I’ve been going through some personal things as of late, but I’m so blessed to remember that I have such an incredible support system that loves me for me, no matter what.

I wanted to take this time to thank my remarkable family and friends because without you, I’d be one sad and lost Squishy Monster. I love you guys!!!!!!

The way I see it, sadness can be like your pair of old, ratty sweatpants. It can be a rather comforting and familiar companion but you can’t go through life as a fused pair forever. Ultimately, there are appointments that need to be met or job interviews and weddings where they just aren’t invited. If you allow it, melancholy man can suffocate or consume you and I know for me, I struggle with the exquisitely excruciating pain that it lends. It’s just so damn comfortable to just loaf in those sweatpants when life knocks you down. It’s just easier to wallow, but it’s certainly not better. It’s most difficult for me to understand that the world is as filled with those that are just as miserly, greedy, mean or narrow as it is with those who are sunny, selfless and courteous.

I met one of my best friends parents for the first time yesterday and it really reinstilled my faith in humanity. It both took them 40 years but they finally found one another and they still couldn’t be more in love. Their happiness radiated from them like sunshine and despite some devastating health problems, they seemed more concerned with spreading comfort, joy, and love than fear or stagnation. I felt warm just being in the company of such genuinely sincere people. This is how I’d like to raise my children one day.

I ramble. I know. So, on to the food we go!

Salted Caramel Cupcakes to turn that frown upside down

Kale egg drop soup I made for breakfast.

Pud Khana for lunch.

Kartoffelpuffer for dinner.

and a BIG surprise!

My very first pair of diamond earrings! I think I literally slam dunked my CZ’s at the bottom of my bag and shook my head profusely to make them sparkle, haha.

The universe is a funny thing. As I went through this week, I was approached by two strangers who whispered encouragement in my ear and a new friend came into my life who just had all the right things to say at the very right moment.

I am blessed.

…and you are too.

Sparkling like a diamond,

Your Squishy Monster ^.~

Yesterday saw the entire family together to celebrate Daddy’s birthday–a rare moment in time when all of us could come together in a single room and not be in cities, states, or oceans apart.  I’d say it was a smashing success!

My Autumn themed dinner party included (from left to right) Roasted Maple Glazed Butternut Squash, Chicken Saltimbocca with sautéed herb Mushrooms, and Wild Rice in Mushroom Broth and grilled Rosemary Pork Tenderloin with Honey Balsamic Glaze + Fried Sage, just for fun.

Here’s a single close up of a savory dish before a demanding pot threatened to overflow and guests began to arrive and whisked me away from the task at hand:

I also regret not getting a shot of the cake

Daddy’s Dessert Bar + Homemade Banner ^.^

A closer shot of Pumpkin Macarons, Oreo Pops, Miniature Apple Pies, Gingerbread Cupcakes and Pumpkin Dip + Ginger Spice Cookies.

An even closer shot–who knew lattice work for the scaled down version would be so tedious?  I felt like the Giant of Lilliput assembling treats for its inhabitants.

Albeit, it’s unconventional but my brother’s got him a 22 rifle to add to his collection.  You can’t see it, but it’s Daddy grinning ear to ear and looking mighty dapper (I might add) in his new Columbia jacket that his favorite daughter got him

My favorite moments?  In our house, we have a long standing tradition of sharing a wish we have for the person giving us a gift.  Those moments are always special.  Another?  When Daddy takes the birthday cake I took the pains to make picture perfect (with the full intention of snapping a shot of) and slices it every which way so that everyone got the tallest (and skinniest) bar/stack ever, lol–the entire cake menacingly wobbled as he made the slices smaller and smaller but you know, it’s Daddy’s birthday so he gets a pass =)

After dinner, we hiked, took pictures, and laughed at ourselves, knowing that this would be the very last time we’d all be together as a family for at least another year or two.  It’s all very bittersweet you see, but couldn’t have ended on a better note.

I hope everyone else enjoyed their weekend and was able to spend quality time with their loved ones.

…for parting is such sweet sorrow…

Love,

Your Squishy Monster ^.~

In the coming week, one brother will be leaving and another will be coming.  It’s very bittersweet and so, our family dinners are that much more important and special to me.  Despite it not being the most calorie friendly activity, sharing and eating food is how I like to celebrate.  It brings people together, presenting an opportunity for everyone to unite at one table and converse with each other about their day.  A time to connect and savor (not just the food, but the memory that you’re making).

Sunday supper went something like this:

Paella (video written down in the books).  Apparently it’s one of baby brother’s new favorite foods and was totally worth the $14 Saffron…geez!

Banana Cream Pies

I’ll be picking up one brother from his journey from The Netherlands and dropping the other off at college *sigh*

On a brighter note, here’s a picture that makes me smile…

Gabs & her gf, showing me their stunts.

Yummies & Cartwheels,

Love,

Your Squishy Monster ^.~

The first of August always marks Mama’s birthday (that is, if you conveniently ignore the fact that technically, her Korean birthday is selected on a new and different day each year according to the Lunar Calender).  Koreans consider the gestation period as the first year and age is referred to in terms of Sal 살.

Yesterday was also subject to one of the craziest lightning storms ever.  Of course me and my friends thought it’d be brilliant to go swimming.  (Mind you, right after a large meal + the baby stages of a booming lightning storm).  Needless to say, we hung out by the lounge chairs and allowed mosquitoes to dine at an all-you-can-eat Squishy buffet.  I think there was conversation and music in the background.  I can’t say because I was waging a futile battle with the mosquitoes and I lost… my poor arms and legs look like sheets of angry red button candy.  Remember those?

Ah, I digress.  I can’t help it.  Currently, I’m scratch-scratch-scratching, making the situation worse and as I peer into a mirror, my suspicions are confirmed HAHA.

…but as I was saying, let’s rewind a bit.  We fused east with west and had the traditional Korean Birthday Soup and afterwards, Mama had her cake and ate it too!

On the left, you’ll find it in it’s dried form.  Rehydrate and about 15 minutes later, you have glossy, streaky ribbons of Seaplant/Sea Mustard/Seaweed for soup OR, this salad.

I will definitely be making a video on this but until then, here’s how I made mine for last nights dinner:

Pulling the flavors of Summer together, I decided to bake mama a lemon layer cake, stuffed with macerated strawberries, frosted with a fluffy, lemon scented whipped cream.

This is this Cake revamped with meyer lemons, instead.  There’s a lot of lemon lovin’ going on.  I pulled back a half cup with my dairy and made up for it with fresh lemon juice and sprinkled in a heavy dose of lemon zest.  I opted out of a heavier buttercream and infused the whipped cream with plenty of lemon zest too.  I created a bit more height and a refreshing and summer-y layer with macerated strawberries (I used 2 tb sugar + 1/4 c limoncello)

and the big bang to the night….!

I think I must have sat there in between bug bites, starring at this silent and wondrous sky for at least an hour.

Crazy, huh?

Cake & Lightning,

Love,

Your Squishy Monster

Yesterday was a particularly special day because I got to see my cousin I never get to see.  He’s a “big boy” now, 7 years old and fiercely independent but he’ll still ask you to play hide and seek with him, pleading with his shining eyes, making you forget all about your laundry list of errands.

It’s as if the universe sent me a present to alleviate me of my thoughts, even if for a little while.  I sat there, watching him play his Pokemon, stealing kisses whenever I could.  He always asks me, “Why do you love me so much?”  To which I always tell him, “Because you are so handsome, so smart, so funny, and so very sweet.”  It made my heart happy to see him laugh and play.

I had another panic attack yesterday.  I feel much better today.  ^This picture makes me smile.

Often times, it’s the simplest things that make me smile.

Like this…

I snapped this when my friend pulled over for a sec during our road trip last month.  I think it’s somewhere in Virgina and the sky looked so blue and the wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man gets me every time.

or this…

They remind me of The Goodfeathers from Animaniacs…like they’re talking to each other.

OR…

My friend’s cat Dennis who insists on sleeping on this box, like the floor is dirty or something HAHA.

I hope that everyone enjoyed their weekend.  I’m taking things slow today.  I should have a video up by the weekend.

I love you guys!

XOXO

Your Squishy Monster

The family had full intentions of dining al fresco (my favorite way to eat) but mother nature (not to be forgotten on mother’sday), decided to blow in with a bold statement and pelted down fat droplets to rain on that parade.  We still managed to wrangle in our small Family and enjoy an intimate supper.  Just us 4 minus my other baby  bro (who is far away in the Netherlands).

Lobster ravioli + grilled asparagus (I think I may do a video on this)

3-layer vanilla bean cake smeared with cream cheese frosting + handmade cake bunting …but with the flurry of all that biz-nass, my bottom tier kind of heaved a sigh and dropped down to take a frosting nap :/

We also had warm goat cheese bruschetta and blood orange Italian cream sodas, too.

Here’s my cake recipe (bakes up a super soft, cloudy cake):

Vanilla Bean Cake

 

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

35 mins

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Ingredients

Dry:

• 2 c Flour
• 3 ts Baking Powder
• 1 ts Salt

Wet:

• 12 tb soft, unsalted Butter
• 1½ c Vanilla Sugar* (or regular granulated)
• 1 scraped Vanilla Bean (or 2 ts Vanilla Extract)
• 6 Egg Whites
• 1 c whole Milk

Instructions

1. Sift together all of your dry ingredients in your first bowl.
2. In your second bowl, begin by creaming together your butter and sugar. You want it to become fluffy and take on a pale, blonde color.
3. Add your vanilla bean or extract (split the pod and using a sharp paring knife, scrape each half. What you end up with is beautifully scented, dark brown “gunk.” That is what you want).
4. Add your whites in a steady stream a bit at a time. You want to fully incorporate them. You can stop when your whites become frothy/bubbly.
5. Tip in your milk (I used coconut milk).
6. Now, it’s time to combine your first, dry bowl to your second, wet bowl. Combine together slowly (in three additions or so) and only mix to combine. Stop when it just comes together (you don’t want to over beat).
7. Grease/flour your 8″ pans and fill 3 or 4 pans with even amounts of batter.
8. Bake at 350 for 19-22 minutes.
9. Cool completely and slather with your favorite buttercream or cream cheese frosting.

Notes

To make easy, peasy Vanilla Sugar, tuck a split Vanilla Bean into your bin of Sugar. The longer it sits, the deeper it will perfume your granules. I used all-purpose, unbleached, unbromated Flour (with no leavening agents) not Cake Flour. It just works here. Try to use the specked Beans from a Fresh Vanilla Pod. It’s vibrant and yummy. Allow your “Wet” ingredients to come to room temperature for best results. (setting your ingredients out 35-45 minutes before handling them is a great start…general rule of thumb: you want to press your thumb into the Butter and leave a soft impression)

3.2.1753

I hope that everyone had a lovely day with their families!

…wishing both my brother’s were here.

XOXO

Your Squishy Monster

Lobster Ravioli + Grilled Asparagus (I think I may do a Video on this)

3-layer Vanilla Bean Cake smeared with Cream Cheese Frosting + Handmade Cake Bunting …but with the flurry of all that biz-nass, my bottom tier kind of heaved a sigh and dropped down to take a Frosting nap :/

We also had Warm Goat Cheese Bruschetta and Blood Orange Italian Cream Sodas, too.

Here’s my Cake Recipe (bakes up a super soft, cloudy Cake):

I hope that everyone had a lovely day with their Families!

…wishing both my Brother’s were here.

XOXO

Your Squishy Monster

This is what the scenery looked like to pick him up yesterday:

after battling the other Freshmen Parents for a parking spot and breathlessly hauling everything that had managed to squeeze into a dorm no bigger than a slightly larger, glorified box (how did it all fit)!?…we’d mustered up a pretty monstrous appetite and poor baby (who had apparently run out on his meal card and was too proud of say anything and therefore living on nothing but Burritos and Ramen)suggested Thai.

Pad Thai

Mee Krob

Green Tea Ice Cream Mochi (which I figured was a Japanese thing, but hey, I’m not complaining.  Yummy is yummy)

It feels just like yesterday when we were struggling to navigate the campus and was busily bustling away to pick up the last few random objects we’d forgotten to take care of back home.  I mean, it feels like just yesterday that it was ME!  (cue baby brother to point out that now, it’s going on 10 years)  EEK!!  How does this thing called life zip past in fast forward without you being none the wiser?  Speaking of, baby brother will be venturing off to Toronto in a few weeks.  If schedule permits, hopefully I get to hang out with him there for a bit.  I’m sure Toronto will open up a new chapter in our “Food Holiday” for us

With the arrival of your College Kids and Mother’s Day–just a reminder to hold your dear ones close.  (and closer).  My 26- going on 110 year old self realizes that it’s not just about the great food you eat—it’s about who you eat them with!!!

XOXO

Your nostaglic Squishy Monster

p.s. a new video will be up soon! =D