Posts Tagged ‘Family’

  1. Sparkle Like a Diamond

    February 17, 2013 by The 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!

    photo 1Salted Caramel Cupcakes to turn that frown upside down ;)

    2F854C73-1DF9-4876-8075-358C51E9E4DFKale egg drop soup I made for breakfast.

    3EFE3868-2E68-4F3C-86EB-13B2640454D5Pud Khana for lunch.

    photo 3Kartoffelpuffer for dinner.

    and a BIG surprise!

    photo 4My 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 ^.~

    Categories: Life | 36 Comments

  2. 60 Candles

    October 1, 2012 by The 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 ^.~

    Categories: Life | 60 Comments

  3. Family, Food, Fun

    August 21, 2012 by The Squishy Monster

    That pretty much sums up the week thus far.

    Yes, please!

    Phở

    Peking Duck on a steamed pancake with sweet bean sauce & cucumbers

    Dragon Fruit & Scuppernongs

    Trout on Corn Salad

    Double Chocolate Rolo Cookies

    Late night nibbles

    After reviewing these pics, I scratch that ^

    This chronicles 3 days of food, LOL.

    I’m off to spend quality time with my family!

    Love & Hugs,

    Your Happy Squishy Monster ^.^

    Categories: Life | 30 Comments

  4. Sunday Supper

    August 13, 2012 by The 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 ^.~

     

     

    Categories: Life | 42 Comments

  5. Cake & Lightning

    August 2, 2012 by The Squishy Monster

    …bc that’s just how we roll in this house, lol.

    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:

    Korean Seaweed Soup
     
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    Ingredients
    • 5 c soaked Miyuk (re-hydrated dried Seaweed)
    • 5 quarts of fresh, filtered Water
    • 3 tb Sesame Oil
    • 4 cloves of crushed Garlic
    • 3 tb Fish Sauce
    • 1 large sliced Onion
    • ½ c Clams/Mussesl/Shrimp
    • Kosher Salt
    • Freshly Ground Pepper

    Instructions
    1. Plunge your dried Miyuk in room temperature-warm water for 15-20 min. Drain and cut into bite sized pieces. Set aside.
    2. In a large pot, heat up your Sesame Oil and begin to soften your crushed Garlic.
    3. Slowly add in your Seaweed, sprinkle over your Fish Sauce, S & P and stir. Then, pour in your water with Onions and allow it to come to a bubble. Cook at medium heat for about 20 more minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
    4. Lastly, add in your Seafood.

    Notes
    You can sub out the Seafood for any other protein if you’d like. Beef Brisket is a traditional choice as well.

     

    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

     

    Categories: Health/Healthy Health/Healthy Korean Food Korean Food Life Soups Soups Veggies or Vegan Veggies or Vegan | 23 Comments

  6. Tidbits

    July 18, 2012 by The 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, lol.

    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 ;)

     

    Categories: Life | 34 Comments

  7. Rainy Day + Pink Cake

    May 14, 2012 by The Squishy Monster

    The Fam had full intentions of dining al fresco (my favorite way to eat) but Mother Nature (not to be forgotten on Mother’s Day), 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
     
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    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 use Coconut Milk sometimes and think it’s lovely).
    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)

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

    …wishing both my Brother’s were here.

    XOXO

    Your Squishy Monster :)

     

    Categories: Cakes/Cupcakes Cakes/Cupcakes Holidays Sweets Sweets | 6 Comments

  8. Baby Brother is Home!

    May 12, 2012 by The Squishy Monster

    With the arrival of the guy who can make me laugh like none other, is also the informal introduction of Summer for me.  (Yes, I know Summer isn’t until June).  If you can bat away the cobwebs for a moment, hopefully you can remember what the word “Summer” evoked during your school years.  It usually meant Ice Cream, sun tan lotion, Movies, short-shorts, and a proudly beaming Sun, among other things.  I don’t have children of my own (and I’m not sure if I want to, still thinkin’) but my baby brother’s are damn near close to being my very own.  I took a pretty heavy interest in raising them and it’s a strange and beautiful relationship that I have with the both of them and I wouldn’t have changed it for the World.  When either of  my baby brother’s are in town, it’s like a direct call for a celebration-hence the early arrival of Summer!  Baby Brother and I have since spread a blanket outside and absorbed some extra Vitamin D and have dipped into a brand spankin’ new carton of Chunky Monkey…and thankful to have it too because we rolled around lazily on our blanket outside, excited to hear the Ice Cream Trucks anthem blaring to announce its arrival just salivating for a Bomb Pop and yet, couldn’t gather ourselves up to walk the 10 paces to get a bar.  Lazy–haha.

    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

    Categories: Life | 8 Comments

  9. Food Holiday

    March 17, 2012 by The Squishy Monster

    This is exactly what it feels like when either Baby Brother comes into town.  Unfortunately, Daniel is now getting settled into another Country so this time, it was just a party for two :( …even if the quantity of food indicated otherwise.

    I was just able to Skype with Daniel on my phone today and call me a dufus or what have you- but for me, it’s as if Skype were invented yesterday and I’m finding it to be ammmmazing.  I’m talking to him from the Netherlands!!!  He looks so happy and well fed.  (or maybe to me, he looks well fed therefore he IS happy, lol).  Either way, I’m so glad he seems to be adjusting well.  I just need to figure out how to school Mom on using it-bless her heart =D

    BAM!  HOT Krispy Kreme Doughnuts–yea, I just did that.  Don’t hate me ;)

    Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup bc he and I are two of a kind too =D …totally lame but true!

    Chicken & Waffles?  The picture says it all–ok–maybe mediocre at best.  This was the second place I’ve gone to this month bc people have been insisting I go.  I think I’ll be listening to myself from now on.  I think often times, people are thrilled by the decor and ambiance and don’t take into account that they just shoveled over a bunch of money for it and didn’t even get a decent plate.  David made it better by making it his own with Sausage Gravy—crazy, I know but delicious!

    Smiley Fries may perhaps very well be the most ridiculous inventions ever but I so appreciate them for what they are.  They’re silly things meant to make you happy…and it doesn’t suck that they’re crispy Mashed Potatoes either.

    I don’t even want to get into what all I ate here :(

    The entrance to the Bake Shop.

    The Pic I snapped right before we arrived at the Bar.  Which brings me to a point…I can’t remember the last time I even went to a bar, or club for that matter!  geez.

    We accidentally stumbled upon what was apparently a show for Leslie and the LYS

    We went to grab a late snack and Mr. Teddy (in a very lethargic manner) said “weeeelcome” LOL

    My beautiful Baby with legs that continue a mile on.

    This little boy–no scratch that–young man always brings back him with such exuberance and inspiration from wherever he just last came from.  I could learn a thing or two from such a fresh perspective, and I do.  There is no one in this world like my two Baby Brothers.  We can simultaneously laugh so hard to end up snorting or coughing up bits of food while delving into deep philosophical conversation.   It’s funny bc I see so much of myself in them.  We are strange and beautiful pieces of Mom and Dad in 3 separate and individual personalities, yet when David and I were talking this weekend during just one of our conversations that lasted until 4 am, I found myself smiling inside from how familiar the echo sounded from what he was feeling and how he was internalizing such and such.  I actually considered blogging last night but upon realizing that it was the 4th night straight of heading to bed at such a bizarre hour, I decided against it and felt that sleep was tempting me with her lulling ways ;)   That’s another thing that David had me realize.  Just a few years ago even, I didn’t feel that 4 am was a bizarre hour for anything.  The saying is that “nothing good happens after 2 am” –gee, thanks how I met your mother– but when I was young-er (don’t throw anything at me bc I KNOW I’m not old), fantastical things would occur late into the night.  The thing that was highlighted in crazy-bold-undeniable-neon-colors this weekend was the utter rejection of reckless abandonment that I’ve been honing since the arrival of my mid-20′s.  Oh where have you gone girl with stupid bleached hair that hopped into a car not caring where it took her to–the girl that couldn’t contain herself just for the fact that it was indeed, a Friday night–the girl that would drop everything if ever she heard the word dare.  David firmly believes that coolness is a factor that shall forever remain sewn to his side.  I know looooots of cool 30-40-hell, even 60 somethings but it’s always been tempered by the fact that a job then replaces sleeping in past 3 and dictates that one must haul himself to bed before a crazy hour, and somehow–just somefreakinghow, baby bumps become the newest accessory and retarded doilies are the hottest thing on the market–not that cute boy.  Now, I realize that maybe a fraction, a portion, a bit of all of this may be exaggerated, but not grossly!  I’m talking about total, utter reckless abandonment here people!  Most 16 year old’s have it and I guess 19 year old’s have a lot of it too.  My “wonder years” of shamelessly flirting, hiking up my skirt, and dancing the night away seem much too abbreviated and I tell David this: before you know it, you’ll have a stupid job, stupid commitments and obligations, stupid mortgage, stupid car payments…to that David retorted, “There’s something to be said about being young and broke.”  There is a certain charm, a romance that one may very well reflect back on fondly.  I’m happy to report that David is wildly enjoying his youth and that yes, I refuse to identify with the survey that found that women feel that they’re past their prime at 29 (I found it in Ladies Home Journal–Avalon Funeral Plans England–ivilliage).  After all, I’m only 26 and have a ways to go =D

    Eternally Optimistic, even if not Youthful,

    Your Squishy Monster :)

    Categories: Life | 4 Comments

  10. Baby Brother’s Birthday Weekend!

    February 20, 2012 by The Squishy Monster

    I’m sure all (er–most) siblings are fond of each other, despite any sibling rivalry or what have you that may exist.  In our Family, I was a sort of “Mommy” to the most amazing little Brother’s.  I have no clue how Mom and Dad were able to support a Family of 5 battling Language and Cultural Barriers all while maintaining their own Small Businesses.  I have such a profound respect for them.  Despite these hardships, we all pulled our own weight and made it work.  Today, my one Brother works for a large Corporation in Seattle, and the other one is now finishing off his Freshman Year at College.  They’re not so little anymore but somehow, I still see them (in my mind) as rambunctious little boys, one or the other terrorizing each other, their cheeks flushed from running around and one or the other always with a great smear of Chocolate (or Mud, lol) across their faces and their tubby little bellies poking out coming to me for all of their little emergencies that needed tending to.  When I think about growing up in our crazy house and the Strange and Beautiful Family that God blessed me with, it makes me smile and tear up at the same time.

    My Brother in Seattle won’t be here to eat any Cake that I want so badly to bake for him on his special day.  I can’t, even for a second absorb the realization that he is now a man.  So autonomous he is that again, it makes me want to tear up.  I’m so very proud of him and his accomplishments and then I also realize that Seattle is across the entire Nation, so very far from where we are.  I don’t know if personally that I would have established myself so well so far from everyone and everything I grew up with.  I love you Daniel!!!

    Did I mention that their Birthdays are a single day apart?  Crazy, huh?

    My Baby Brother actually came up to surprise us this past weekend.  I seized the opportunity to fatten him up.  We ate our way through the weekend, lol.

    Blackberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Blackberry Push Pop Cakes to share with his friends

    “Birthday Cake” Oreo Ice Cream Cake
    I love you, David!

    I dropped him back off at school today :(

    and of course, it started snowing.  I captured the calm before the storm here.  Prettiness captured above lurched into a monstrous Beast during the drive back home.  The lonely long stretch of highway tested our Faith—you couldn’t see anything in front of you it was so dark and the Snow (of course, lol) had to beat down fat flakes towards the car.  From my estimation, there were about a half dozen cars trapped in the icy snow on either left or right shoulder–lots of accidents and blaring Ambulance sirens :(

    but it didn’t bother this man onnnne bit!

    or me (3 hours before)

    idk what I’m doing here.  If I weren’t me and I saw this picture, I’d guess that this person was doing half jumping jacks in the snow bc she’s excited about the first snowfall of the year.

    Makes me want Snow Cream!!  ^.^

    Missing my Strange and Beautiful Family together
    …amidst Snow Flurries,

    Love,
    Your Squishy Monster

    Categories: Life | No Comments

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    Welcome to The Squishy Monster!

    Here, I'll share the stories of my on going love affair with food as well as step-by-step tutorials/cooking videos featuring original recipes. I'm a firm believer that despite our differences, our one commonality as humans? Food.
    I'm 100% Southern & 100% Korean. My name is Angela and my friends call me The Squishy Monster.

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