How do you pronounce Pho?

Is it FO (rhymes with Edgar Allen Poe)

or FU (rhymes with duh)

or FOO (rhymes with new)?

Pretty sure PHO is pronounced FU.

Decided to make this popular Vietnamese soup.

From scratch.

Since the broth is the mainstay of the dish, that made sense.

Roasted beef bones and vegetables (onions, carrots, celery) to make the stock (in a 425 degree oven for an hour).

Then tossed everything into a large pot of water with the aromatics (peppercorns, cinnamon sticks and star anise) and a bit of fish sauce and a smidge of sugar.

Simmered for hours and hours.

Once it cooled, strained and kept the liquid. Put it into the fridge.

The next day was able to easily scoop off all the fat that settled on top.

Returned the broth to the stove to simmer and waited for my guests.

Everyone filled their bowl with thinly sliced sirloin (raw), some cooked rice noodles (banh pho), a handful of bean sprouts and a medley of chopped cilantro, mint, Thai basil, jalapenos, green onions and a lime wedge.

Hot broth was ladled on top (which cooked the meat).

Likewise you can submerge a ladle filled with raw meat into the broth until it cooks as much as desired and then pour into bowl with the noodles, sprouts and greens.

Fun presentation.

Tasty.

However you pronounce it.

99 Ranch Market

Not just a grocery store.

It is a shopping experience.

Kinda like a quick trip to Asia.

Located on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.

Produce section features lotus root (which can be steamed, boiled or stir fried).

There are fish swimming in the tank.

Whole fish on a bed of ice.

And a few trying to crawl away.

There is also protein that isn’t moving ---- tofu.

As well as staples, like rice.

The quantity (both in terms of variety and the physical size of the bags) is overwhelming.

There are also seeds and spices and sauces.

Baked goods made of taro.

Tea, so much tea.

And don’t get me started on the noodles.

Roam the aisles – get inspired – try something new!

Julian

Known for its Apple Days festival, which takes place in the Fall, this quaint town in the mountains is worth a visit any time of year.

In February, the orchards sit empty.

 

Trees are pruned back.

But drive into town and there is still plenty to do along Main Street.

Enjoy a meal at the café.

Drink out of a boot.

Browse the antique shops or the bookstore.

Sit and read for a bit.

Ride around town.

I think they save the full-size horses for tourist season.

Buy a jar of honey --- flavored with orange blossom or lavender or a dozen other variations.

Watch an expert roll out pie dough.

Use the ATM at Rabobank – an interesting name for a financial institution.

Suck on a jawbreaker, the size of a baseball.

Check out the chickens on a front porch.

Julian in Winter.

No apple picking this time of year but plenty of pie and things to do.

Without the crowds or the traffic.

Stump

A Torrey Pine had to be cut down recently.

It stood at the entrance to Swami’s – a popular surf spot in Encinitas.

The tree was infested with bark beetles.

Rather than saw it off at the base, they left behind some wood.

Since it was a great big tree.

It left a great big stump.

Enough to whittle into artwork.

Which is the plan.

A local artist is going to carve away…

Skating Practice

One does not often think ice skating when considering the different activities and sports available to San Diegans.

But there is a rink at University Towne Center.

Open year round.

  

I have been out there before – gliding forward – slow and stiff in reverse.

Spins and jumps, completely out of the question.

Didn't know that harnesses were used in training sessions.

With a coach and apparatus, this talented skater practiced jumps and spins.

Over and over.

It was something to watch.

While I sat above the rink, warmly dressed, wondering what it would feel like to spin on the ice.

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè

Happy New Year!

The Year of the Rabbit starts today, February 3^rd, according to the Chinese zodiac cycle.

Instead of looking forward, I am going to take a step back and share some photos from four years ago.

My husband and I were living in a high-rise apartment off Dongsishitao in the incredible city of Beijing.

My first trip to China and it lasted 6 months.

Long enough to experience the most important festival in Chinese culture.

A two-week celebration. It was the Auspicious Year of the Pig.

The hutongs (traditional housing) were decorated with couplets, written on red banners, hung on the doorways.

Intended to bring luck to the household.

Beijing 2007

It is important to start the New Year with new clothes.

Beijing 2007

Red is an important color and symbolizes prosperity.

Beijing 2007

Evil spirits are driven away by loud noise so firecrackers are set off throughout the holiday. There seemed to be a stand on every corner.

Beijing 2007

With friendly staff willing to sell any kind of firecracker imaginable.

Beijing 2007

There was no doubt that it was the Year of the Pig – it was on billboards.

Beijing 2007

It was the design for hats.

Beijing 2007

It was even sold as a bank. 

Beijing 2007

Ok, I guess a ‘piggy’ bank is not that unusual.

Wonder what will be sold at the Chinese festivals this year - perhaps a rabbit’s foot?

Seals

Now is the time to visit La Jolla.

And see the seals.

And their adorable pups.

Posing for the camera.

Imitating a football.

Hanging with the grown-ups.

It is quite a site.

A sea wall provides a lookout point…

for watching their sleek heads bob up and down in the water.

It is a Children’s Pool (supposedly).

But everywhere you look, the seals have taken over.

Catching some rays…

and barking their greetings!