Sweet and Sour Sauce

I wanted to share this recipe here on Plum Tree because number 1, it's super easy and number 2, it's a recipe from China, that can have different variations to it. I've only made it once before, and everyone loved it and I was surprised that it turned out so well. Not that I'm an awful cook or anything, I just didn't know how good it would actually be!

So, I had the itch to make it once again! I was kind of under a time crunch when cooking it though, but sometimes that can be a good thing because then you're really focused on what you're doing. Chopping, stirring, chopping some more and getting too much onion rays in your eyes to even see what you are even doing, Don't you hate that? Any soultions? I've heard chewing gum can distract you, or wearing goggles? I think my lab days are over. Chopping some more, and listening to Lord Huron while seeing the meat sizzle, that's real lovely. And I finished the moment I had to go and say good bye to my creation for a while. For this recipe, you can choose to cook the the sauce with pork, beef or fish. I chose beef strips, it goes really well all together along with rice.

This recipe came from Mary Knoll International Cookbook, mentioned in my last post. I want to challenge myself with other recipes from here as well!

Oops! Don't you hate when that happens? Or maybe it makes the cookbook look more used and vintage. Yep, soy sauce decided to splatter on the page.

And there's the finshed look, with everything combined. I don't think it will be too long until I make this keeper recipe again!

Cook, Bake, Read

Lists, goals, jotting down ideas. I seem to wander into this realm often throughout the day. I also like to make challenges for myself for the year. One of them having to do with challenging myself to read more. This may sound kind of funny for those who already know me well, I'm a book worm so naturally I already like to read, and read a lot for that matter, But would you still categorize me as a book worm if I find more books than finish reading books? I would say it's debatable too.

So, ever since whenever, I stole the idea from my sister to write down all the books you've read in a year, but I've made it more of a challenge to see how many I can actually finish in a year's time. A year is a long time, but it also goes by fairly quickly when you have a hard time deciding which book to read next, (if you're anything like me). Overall, I feel pretty proud of myself. Sometimes it can feel like there's too many books and so little time. I would hate to feel how it's like with too much time, so few books.

Without further ado, here are my lists from last years finished books (2015), and books finished so far in 2016.

I've finished more books this year, without the year being over yet, compared to last year! I think it's cool to look back on the books you've read, and it brings you back to that time of year, and even remember what you were thinking when you read that part, or why you even chose to read the book 

in the first place. I looked back specifically on the cooking memoris that I read last year, since I read a good amount of them. (They're one of my favorite genres:)) And I decided to pick the ones that I would read again.

I absolutely love this book! If you have seen the movie, Julie &Julia I think this book depicts Jukia Child's life so well, it really makes you so engrossed and encaptured in her life. I love her, and love her story!

I would for sure read Molly Wizenberg's book, A Homemade Life again. Not only is she a writer that makes your mind melt like chocolate when reading, there are also great recipes she shares as well! I love her Orangette blog as well:)

What can I say about this one? Only, that she is an inspiring young woman who lives her dream while quitting her office job, goes to Le Cordon Bleu and learns how to cook. She makes internatonal friends along the way, marries the love of her life and leanrs more about herself. So yes, I would read this treasure again:)

Here is the sequel of Molly Wizenberg's memoir. This one named Delancy after the restaurant she opens with her husband and all that involves. This is almost too fast of a read, her writing glides do easily, but even still I would definately read this page turner again.

Since these memoirs are all involved with the art of cooking, I got thinking of my own cooking, and how I want to challenge myself and improve my cooking. Here are some cookbooks that I have cooked from, and want to cook more from, or just an inspiration for me,

Love his cookbook, his old TV show The Taste, and his cooking memoir Yes, chef. He has other cookbooks as well, overall they are easy to look at ,aesthetic and creative as well as original.

Fell in love with her cookbook, it's so easy to look at! She too has a memoir that I read this year. Want to look more at her cookbooks and what she brings to the art of cooking.

I really like Maryknoll's International Cookbook. Not only is it Internatonal, which is a plus, but also that it's easy to come from. I've only made two recipes from here, and I would gladly make them again, but also want to look more through it and see what else I can cook up:)

This is Nadiya Hussain, and she was the winner of the Great British Baking Show. I didn't see the whole season, but I what I saw of it, I knew that I liked her and her baking style, and was rooting for her. Now she has a cookbook and I'm eager to find and look through it!

what about plaid

What can I say about plaid? One, that I don't see it only as a pattern that can only be worn in Fall. Of course it works well with the season, but I don't like to be the norm and only take it out in Autumn. I feel that I draw towards plaid in various seasons.

I realize that I own a good amount of plaid already: I have plaid scarfs, plaid blazer, shirts, even a plaid curtain! However, it's been a year since I bought plaid material and finally, finally I am going to learn how to sew and make something out of it!

I think one of the main reasons why I draw towards plaid 95% of the time is because it can easily make a statement, but it can also be casual or turned more dressy. It could look a little more masculine at first but then instantly a touch of a fancy necklace, earrings or shoes could switch it into more of feminine look.

Plaid curtains:)

Plaid can be seen as a piece that can go with many things, and not only labeled as Fall or masculine wear. I'm excited to be able to sew this material. At first I thought about making it into a scarf, but as you can see, I already have a few of them already. I guess you'll just have to wait and see the finished result:)

The libra sun is coming soon

August has seemed to spin, turn and slide by me. I really like August becasue it's the turning point between Summer and Fall. It can be hard to say goodbye to Summer, especially those cool dusk nights that take a while for it to fully turn dark. I'm going to miss those. But I can never get enough of taking in the night air on the porch, reading a book, writing, painting my nails or just looking up at the ombre blue sky.

That's one of the reasons why I love Fall, the change of colors in leaves, the change of hot air to crisp, dewy air that splashes the grass and car windows in the morning, the need to wear scarfs and closed toed shoes, and even more of a reason to go to Starbucks and find a purpose to sit there for hours sipping your chosen season drink while reading a good book, with nice glossy nails flipping the pages.

love these kind of scarves!

I think the true artist in me dreams of Fall everytime August is in store. There are many things to look forward to this time of the year, yet somehow it also goes by very fast from here on out. Wearing and shopping for Fall clothes is always something I look forward to, the upcoming holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving make me come alive with the festive clothing, food and appreciation for what has happened this year, and knowing that the next is just around the corner.

Something about Fall makes me very reflective, even nostaglic at times. I love to take walks and pass by the crunchy leaves and look up at the ones that are still growing into their 'skin' passing from green into a red- orange glow. 

something about the October air

 This Fall is my last one as a student, and I think I will miss it. Something about going back to school in the season of Autumn never fully seems to get tiring. The excitement and joy of what's ahead seems to go hand in hand with the freshness of a new school year. Sometimes waiting for Fall can seem long, but then once it's hear you have to grab it before it fades away, until next year.

Ground Turkey Casserole

Tonight was my night to make dinner. I think one of the best ways to approach the art of cooking is going on a run beforehand. The sweat, the beat of the music, the sun, getting in tune with myself towards the end of the day (which happens to be my favorite time of the day) is something that I always like to replicate.

The recipe that I chose to cook was Ground Turkey Casserole, which I've made once before. It's super simple, and only takes about an hour to make, give or take. With cooking, I realize that it's important to multi-task and always be aware of the next step. For this recipe, you need to cook noodles while the turkey is cooking, as well as mix some cream cheese and sour cream together seperately. Also, in my house I didn't have any of the 'required' noodles needed but instead feticini or other type of noodles can also work for this dish.

I hope to get better at cooking and baking and have it become even more of an inspiration on this blog! Stay tuned for more:)

 Voila!

Something about birthdays

Even when it's not your own birthday it's easy and relevant to be thankful for that person on theirs. I don't know about you but all the attention and photos and happy birthdays songs begin to feel one too many pretty quickly. Of course, I love my birthday. I mean it's right at the beginning of summer when the days are long and hot, but I would say that I find it easier and sometimes more enjoyable to do some reflecting on someone else's birthday rather than on my own day of celebration. I think it's because there's less pressure, yes pressure.

 The way I sometimes see my birthday is pressure for the balloons to stay up straight and bouncing on the ceiling wall, pressure to have the perfect wish for your new year ahead on your birthday cake, pressure to like or perhaps pretend to like all of your birthday presents, and pressure to do something that everyone dreams of doing on their birthday. Now that adds up to a lot of pressure! I think this year, I let those things go. And it happended to be a very personal day in the end. What I realized is that all that really matters is that you turned another age older, and it was something memorable, and enjoyable and that you can remember it for the years ahead.

Yesterday was two of my best friend's birthdays. My mom, and my sister, who have the same birthday. Being thankful for someone on their birthday is a very nice thing since before that day, so or not so many years ago, they didn't exist. That's kind of weird to think about, but it's true and that's what makes me thankful for them. But do you know what makes me even more thankful for these treasures? The fact that they have been away this entire week, and are coming back home. I don't think there's anything better than that, after having a hard week and finally being able to talk and laugh and maybe even cry with the ones you love most.

Happy Birthday Mom! Happy Birthday Elisabeth! May this year be one of great happiness and passion for life. I know it will because that's what you bring everyday, passion, happiness and laughter that tickles my bone. I love you both so much!

I remember

Do you ever have your mind go back to a year ago? I think mine draws more to the past rather than the future. My memory somehow remembers all the little details from the days of yesteryear. When I think of a year ago, I instintly get pulled back into my old job. All the memories flood back into my mind, like a strong river that twists and churns and flows, creating a wet land for all the fish and people trying to walk in it. Time can make things less painful and almost more enjoyable to look back on compared to the recent past.

Now I may have scared you, since I mentioned painful. But isn't it true that pain can have a negative feeling with it as well as a postive one, in retrospect? My old job did both for me, and I must say that I am grateful for the experience.  A job that can give you stress, pressure, and anxiety is never a good thing, yet you learn what to do and how to cope with it in the end.

As a creative person, I need inspiration in my life, I breathe it, and without it I wilt. This job didn't have an ounce of that, and I could see that pretty qucikly, working there day in and day out. I must say uniforms are not my cup of tea, especially the kind that is from head to toe. Talk about no creativity! Personal space is huge for me. Again, this job didn't cater to that either. I felt like I was a fish living in a fish bowl, with all my coworkers around me, not much room to maneover around. The customers inside could practically see everything, as well as the ones outside. I think I have some more sympathy for fish living in a fish tank.

But I think one of the worst things was the eternal awareness of time. Yes, time. Clocks, minutes, break times, moving fast never slow, and getting there on time as well as ready within a matter of minutes is something that always gave me extra sweat that I couldn't handle or for that matter wanted.
Name tag, check. Hat, check, Hair pins, check. Hair up and pulled back, check.   Apron, check. Shirt, check. Pants, check. Belt, check. Socks, high white socks that is, check. Large pin, check. Shoes, check. Make up natural, check. No big earrings or rings, or jewelery for that matter, check. Nails clipped short, check. No nail polish on nails, check. Smile, check.

Dreading to meet face to face with all my cowotkers and male bosses was something that gave my hert an extra beat. The encounter of doom happened right when I walked into the work environment and said goodbye to my comfort zone for the next 6 hours. Joy. Please God help me get through this day, this moment. St. Joan of Arc, Isidore, and Raymond, give me the courage and strength that I need for today. It always helped me, even though people could read fear in my eyes, my voice, and my actions. But I didn't care, I just pulled through.

I'll stop here for now, more to come soon. Thanks for reading!

Thoughts on travel and language

Coming home from El Salvador taught me many things. I know only a few Spanish words and luckily survived the two days that I was there, thanks to helpful translators i.e, my sister and her hubby:) But even still, language welcomes you into a culture and makes you become part of it almost immediatley. But I think an interesting thing is that, one can still get by in a foreign country without fully knowing the language of that country, since body language, facial expressions, hand movements all play a role in communicating, though sometimes not as directly as one would desire.

Traveling opens your eyes into another world, perspective, with new eyes like never before. It forces you to become open minded and embrace the present moment, especially since things can be very unpredicatble at times. But isn't that the fun of it? As a foreigner, a vistor, a guest in that country, you are no longer in control of what you know, or what you thought you knew. Nope, you're in for a ride, a ride that will bring you to places you never imagined before. And more often than not, you learn about yourself in the process throughout the adventure.

Going back to language, I want to keep striving with my Chinese studies! I know it's my passsion and interest, but even then it can be difficult and exhausting to keep up at times. Have you ever felt this way? Recently, I've been making flashcards, but not just the ordianry, plain jane ones. No, colorful, pictureqese, nice to look at, and easy and fun to read, as well as create. But I wanted it to have meaning, use, not only for my creative mind. So, what better way than to share it here on plum tree, and maybe it could be of use to others, or even creative inspiration nontheless!

Hello

Hello, to the blogging world again! I am excited to have a creative outlet, and to keep staying inspired. :) There are so many things that I want to share, and sometimes writing it down all in a notebook isn't always enough. The creative juices keep stirring inside me, and I feel that a blog is a great way to disperese ideas and inspiration and to see where it leads.

The name plum tree, what's the signifigance there you might ask. Well, a plum is one of the fruits that I do not eat very often actually, but I do enjoy it from time to time. That's how I feel with blogging, I enjoy it but haven't done it for a while. I looked up on google what a plum tree represents and it said, "sweet anticipation of promises and rewards of something one has waited for." I feel that this can apply to many things in life. I can relate to this especially after witnessing my sister's wedding in El Salvador! She married such a sweet and genuine Salvadorian man, and feel so blessed to have him part of our family, and to call his family our own as well. Throughout their dating and engagement process, there was distance and waiting and sacrifice and struggle, but their love and commitment was never doubted or lost.

I feel the plum tree symbolism can relate to many different things in my life as well. One's hopes and dreams are very important and it's something that you can always look to. I aspire to make this blog something of an inspiration for myself as well as for others. Sometimes inspiration isn't always easy to find, it can be a challenge, but a good challenge it is!