my BiL brought home some yummy cheese and salami from hubble and hudson tonight, which worked out perfectly because my sister and i wanted to try a bottle of sparkling wine we picked up at costco today.  so before dinner we noshed and enjoyed the yumminess.

just now my mommy was trying to cap the bubbly and i told her no need because we'll finish it tonight.  she mentioned that whenever my BiL drinks alcohol he gets all flushed.  i said yes, most asians have that reaction and hence the name asian flush. my smart-ass self had to add, thanks to paupau (her mom), my sister and i don't have that issue.  she use to give us shot glasses of guinness when we were kids.

my mom the proceeded to tell me i'm terrible...and i'm forever grateful to my paupau that i don't look like i just ran a marathon or have to pop a pepcid ac every time i drink.

saturday started....early.

we thought the boys would have been tired after a very full friday, but apparently np2 had other plans. this boy normally is an early riser. he's usually singing and talking in bed at around 8am-ish.  and he'll be content doing that for a while.  for some reason this morning, he decided he would wake up at 7:30 am then scream for grandma around 7:45 am. i followed at 8:15 and grumpily, np1 joined us at 9:00.  he was NOT thrilled.  he's the deep sleeper...the one who loves to sleep in...just like his mommy. he made sure to let his little brother know that he was not happy about being up early and that he "needed his rest and wanted to sleep more on saturday since he has very busy weekdays."

so after a quick breakfast and lots of coffee for me and grandma, the boys hunted for their surprise.  today they each received a mini lego set.  np1 received two super cool racing motorcycles and np2 received a toy story set that consisted of the green army men. my, legos sure have come a long way! np1 was very nice and helpful.  he first put together his brother's toy then his own.  they happily played together for a bit.





for lunch we decided head to the mall.  the boys have recently discovered sonics. i will admit not the healthiest thing i've eaten on my visit, but it's been a while since i've had tots and strawberry limeade...yum! the boys each had grilled cheese with apples with some popcorn chicken and mommy and i shared a grilled chicken wrap and all the boys leftovers. :P



since it was crazy hot and humid i was grateful for the air conditioned play area that was there. the boys got to run around and play for a while...np1 even ran into a friend from discovery camp!








after a quick stop at the candy store, we headed home so naps and homework could be done. grandpa soon arrived to provide additional parental presences. then me and the boys went swimming while grandma made dinner. we played and splashed and hunted for treasures and fought pirates till everyone was hungry. dinner was eaten and the a quick round of mcqueen board game and toy story alien kerplunk it was time for bible stories, teeth brushing, face washing, nose blowing, 100 hugs and kisses, story time and finally bed time!

once we had the little people in bed, my mommy and i moved on to the task of feeding their pet african frogs. 



these two frogs are crazy.  the bigger one eats ALL the food. the little one...well...i think he's a short bus frog.  he won't even eat food if it is right in front of him. instead he'll bite the bigger one and pick a fight.  we were both yelling at them and taping the tank. i have to say i felt a little like a crazy person yelling at the frogs and trying to make one eat.  sadly little frog did not get any pellets today.  according to mommy, the little on hasn't eaten a single pellet of food since they brought them home.  so i wonder what he's been eating...and how long they will survive.

everyone is now having sweet dreams and no bedbugs biting...so it's my turn. 'night!

it's friday!!!

wait...that means something totally different when you're nephew-sitting.  that means there is only one more day till they are home all day for 2 whole days...uh oh. :P  time to come up with some creative ways to keep two boys amused the entire weekend. also, that meant thoughts..r.un..n.in..g had to go back to the land of sugar to wait for her own two nieces. 

the boys once again had excitement filled days.  np1 went to discovery camp at john cooper school in the morning.  they made a flower necklace from paper and they played in the real school gym. np2 had play ball at the rec center in the morning.  it was fun to watch 4 little boys get super excited about throwing, hitting and kicking balls around. they were all so excited that they couldn't even stay on their shapes half the time.

after some lunch, a nap, and a trip through the carpool line, the boys did a treasure hunt for their surprise. (they each get a present from mommy and daddy everyday while the parents are gone...lucky boys!) the each received a bakugan...so a grand scale battle ensued.

we ate dinner early so the boys could go for a drive...








the adults chased after the boys. np1 took his driving very seriously. he stayed on the left and kept both hands on the steering wheel at all time.  np2 on the other hand was cruising. he had his shades on, drove with one hand on the wheel the other arm resting on the door. he'd also weave around...testing out his tires..haha!

after "driving around" we headed to orange leaf for some frozen yogurt and made a quick trip to HEB for some milk and eggs.  i had much difficulty managing the race car shopping carts.  there were many close calls and back-up-and-try-agains.  but with my mommy guiding up front we got out of the store undamaged...and with what we needed.

so day 2 ends with two exhausted boys...with one who sleeps in funny positions sleeping in one of the strangest ones to date.



still not sure how he was getting enough air...

thanksgiving turkey courtesy of mommy!

mmmm...turkey....

in fact, i am eating some of that yummy turkey right now for lunch. and secretly, i prefer the leftovers...tastier :)

i love fall desserts. i always look forward to the first cold front and thanksgiving so i can make my all time favorite cookies, ginger spice cookies. so this year for thanksgiving, i made a batch of the lovely cookies and decided to throw in a cake too. currently, my favorite blog for recipes is smittenkitchen.com. everything i've tried from deb's blog has been amazing. and this time it was no different. i made the gramercy tavern's gingerbread that i found on the blog for the family thanksgiving meal. ginger is a favorite among the family, so the cake sounded perfect. and the fact that the cake requires Guinness beer, made it even better. (Guinness is my pau pau's favorite beer...i learned to appreciate it from her!) i was nervous making the cake for such a big meal since i've never made it before, but as always the recipe was flawless! The house smelled of fall and the holidays as the cake baked. and the cake was a huge hit...it was spicy, chewy and yummy! i will admit, it did taste better the second day, not as sugary sweet. i cannot attest for how it taste the third day as the cake was completely devoured by then. This is one recipe i will be making over and over again. (also, the cake was cut into and eaten before i remembered to take a photo of it...so the below photo and recipe is courtesy of smittenkitchen.com. i will try to remember to take a photo of the next one before it is consumed.)

Gramercy Tavern's Gingerbread from Claudia Fleming

1 cup oatmeal stout or Guinness Stout

1 cup dark molasses (not blackstrap)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Pinch of ground cardamom

3 large eggs

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

Confectioners sugar for dusting

Accompaniment: Unsweetened whipped cream
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Generously butter bundt pan and dust with flour, knocking out excess. (She is not kidding about this. I used a nonstick pan with a butter/flour spray and still lost a chunk of cake. I will be more generous next time.)

Bring stout and molasses to a boil in a large saucepan and remove from heat. Whisk in baking soda, then cool to room temperature.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and spices in a large bowl. Whisk together eggs and sugars. Whisk in oil, then molasses mixture. Add to flour mixture and whisk until just combined.

Pour batter into bundt pan and rap pan sharply on counter to eliminate air bubbles. Bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs adhering, about 50 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool completely.

Serve cake, dusted with confectioners sugar, with whipped cream.

Do ahead: This gingerbread is better if made a day ahead. It will keep 3 days, covered, at room temperature. I am sure it will keep well-wrapped in the freezer even longer.

so i hope you and yours had a wonderful, blessed and fulfilling thanksgiving holiday. may the rest of this year and the new year to come be full of hope, peace and joy.

So after several months of training in the texas heat (austin had 68 consecutive days of 100+ degree weather) , my first half marathon is done. it was a lot of fun and i am really glad i got to run this with my sister and brother-in-law. i have to say, i'm happy with my time. but i do think we could have actually finished faster if we a: didn't have to start at the back with the walkers/3:00 pace group. we did quite a bit of dodging and weaving the first couple miles. (my sister and i also realized all that side to side motion made our hip joints hurt.) b: we did take a bathroom break in the beginning. but hey it was the one and only non port-a-potty bathroom on the whole run.

I have to say, the Disneyland Half Marathon was a lot of fun! if i was not so concerned about the time, i think i would have taken lots of photos. All the characters come out for the run when you run through California Adventures and Disneyland. You also run through the back parts of the parks. the best was runing through Angel's Stadium. very cool! i'd probably do this one again someday. maybe i'll have the energy to do the disney coast to coast challenge. princess half marathon march 2010, anyone? maybe i'll even dress up!

next up:
October 24, 2009 livestrong challenge austin 5K
November 1, 2009 susan g. komen race for the cure austin 5K
January 10, 2010 usa fit sugar land half marathon
and maybe
February 14, 2010 austin half marathon


happy running :)



ps: the rest of my socal trip was awesome too. but i'll save that for another day. glad i got to see everyone in socal!

IMG_0796, originally uploaded by mywong13.

We're very proud of you!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

I have accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Komen Austin Race for the Cure in its promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality of care for all and energizing science to find the cures. Please help Komen Austin reach its fundraising goal of $1,000,000 in honor of their 10th Annual Race for the Cure!

Three reasons to donate today:
1. Your gift funds breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties.
2. Your gift supports the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Program.
3. Your gift is tax-deductible.

I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Best,

Mindy Wong

To send a donation:

Make all checks payable to: Komen Austin
(Please designate the name of the person you are supporting in the memo field).
Mail to: