From the streets

Found: on Park Avenue and 64th Street. Steel interpretation of Empire State building.

Wonderland

Nothing says lovely ladies lunch like Alice's Tea Cup-Chapter II which is on 64th and Lexington in NYC. This place is a delicate dream come true for young girls, and actually quite a popular place for bridal showers, birthdays, etc even for the more mature ladies. 

Alice's Tea Cup is most well known for their scones and tea: the best deal on the menu is the $12-two scones with 1 tea combo which willprobably bowl you over for a solid 3 hours afterwards. Also on the menu is an extensive list of tea sandwiches and salads, with cute names such as "King-of-Hearts tea-smoked chicken ruben." My scone-monster  inside was giddy after hearing the wide selection, and I finally settled on the Pumpkin scone with caramel glaze, while my friend tried the Ham and Cheese. 

I leave you with a favorite & germane quote from the book: 

“I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” 

― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Mini-Moments

As a denizen of NYC for four years now, I figured I would have seen everything there is to see in the city, at least once. Of course, these past two weeks have definitely proved me wrong! I was finally able to step foot into the famed Radio City Music Hall with the magnificent golden curtains and enchanting wall mural.

Not to mention, I stumbled across this beautiful garden called the "Children's Sculpture Garden" that sat next to the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (a massive gothic church that's hard to miss) in Morningside Heights.

The prominent sculpture of a large Sunface with two crab pinchers dangling Satan's hand is hard to miss too.

Even in the wintertime when everybody is busy looking down, this city can surprise you!

Up, Up and away!

I have amassed a small collection of interesting photographs from my recent travels. Being a very frequent visitor to several different airports, I've come to appreciate the art and decor inside them. These go a long way to enhance your (short-lived, but sometimes looong) layovers before boarding. 


This photo doesn't do this sculpture justice. It's called "Brushstrokes in Flight" by  Roy Lichtenstein (American pop artist) at CMH. On a side note, Port Columbus, is well known for displaying community art. Always makes for a pleasant visit home!

A very large dino skeleton from the Field Museum and a replica of Butch O'Hare's famed fighter jet both call ORD (O'Hare) home. 

A dining table with Seat Belt Chairs from "the Hunger Games". The makers, Phillips Collection, are actually from High Point, NC. Fitting to be in the GSO airport (Piedmont Triad International).  

P.S. Made this photo collage with "Pic Stitch"

You can't NOT stop and take a picture of these. Fishes of the sea arranged in circles. I think I see a school of tuna fish! (from none other than MIA-Miami International Airport!)

A Nature Break

I've been staying with a friend in the wonderful state of North Carolina for the past couple of days. My first extended stay in the Mid-Atlantic states! In my mind, NC is lush, green and spacious. Boy was I right! There is still lots of green winter grass on the ground, the temperature is moderate and the silence around here is eerily comforting. A few mini-moments from our nature walk this past week in Bur-Mill Park (including a special sighting!):

Suburban houses nestled within Bur-Mil Park

No lush green leaves on the trees but isn't this path endless? 

I just loved this vantage point of Lake Brandt. 

And one of its local residents-the Great Blue Heron!

Owls Roost Trail- considered a path for advanced mountain biking!

Chicago-land

I spent the past week celebrating the holidays with my family in Chicago. Indeed, the one and only Windy City. The chill of the lake effect hits you full frontal in the downtown areas of the city. Brought back from great memories of the times I was at Northwestern summer camp. We would be rewarded with trips to the "city" and frequently visiting Water Tower Place and walked the "Magnificient Mile." Of course, a few things have changed too.... keep reading to see more pictures!.

Chinatown meats...very much the same. The ducks glistening with  bbq sauce, a nice sight for hungry eyes. 

The Art Institute of Chicago (http://www.artic.edu/). The lion reminds me of the greeters that sit in front of the New York Public Library.

We had to make a visit to Millenium park, home of the famous metallic"Bean."

The one word that I would use to describe Chicago is "strong."  The city is largely architecturally homogenous, composed of steel buildings reminiscent of NYC Midtown. It's no wonder that its other nickname is "The City of the Big Shoulders," a show of appreciation for the Midwestern grunt that was used to build such a marvelous place. 

The one thing that did change... the Sears Tower is no longer named such! Now known as the Willis Tower, after its highest bidder. Naturally, native Chicagoans are NOT pleased. 

Hot Cross (Pork) Buns

The holiday times means several things to me: family, food and fun! This means eating a lot of delicious homemade Chinese food! One of my favorites is my mom's recipe for Chinese BBQ steamed buns. Which, actually turns out to be quite easy to make. All you need is:

Ingredients: leavened dough (see recipe on how to prepare here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chinese-pork-buns-cha-siu-bao/), BBQ pork (finely chopped, you can get this in Chinatown.)

Equipment: rolling pin, a steamer

Here's the stuffing for the buns. We actually added diced dried tofu with BBQ pork.  About 1/2 pound of pork will be enough for approx a dozen buns.

The dough should be full leavened before beginning this process.
Cut a large piece of dough and roll out lengthwise into a long 2 inch diameter rod. Don't forget to put down flour on the cutting board so the dough doesn't stick!

Cut lengthwise into 2 inch pieces... 

and then flatten with your palm.

Flatten each dough piece with a rolling pin into a circle, coaster-size.

Fill each coaster with some meat stuffing.

Here's the hard part: start pinching the dough together and gather the edges while pinching. You should continue this motion all the way around.

The final pinch should close the bun at the top. 

Lay the buns out. Ta-da!

The buns should be not touching in the steamer.

Allow for water to boil before steaming for 20 minutes. Let cool slightly before enjoying!