Mussels with White Wine and Herb

Well, this weekend was a weekend of two "firsts". First time cooking fresh mussels and first time cooking with non-Chinese wine. I never had a chance to cook mussels, but I have hear it is a great choice for seafood since it is relatively inexpensive, easy to cook, and great presentation of the final product (the cute pointed shells sell themselves). So since I got a bunch of mussels from a friend I figure it is the perfect time to jump in. I got a simple recipe from La Regalade's cook book, so that means it is tested and tasty.

The recipe only called for mussels, butter, onion, parsley, whipping cream, white wine, and black pepper. Quickly cook the mussels for 3 minutes in the above ingredients and it's done.

I have to say (again) I am terrible at following recipe - I used milk instead of cream, I just picked whatever white wine on the shelf, didn't care about the what taste/smell notes the wine has, I added lemon myself, and measuring cup, what measuring cup?

 But! The end result is still good! The mussels are nicely plump, the sauces are too good to leave behind... not bad for a first try eh?!

Lynn Peak at Lynn Headwaters regional Park July 10, 2011

Today's challenge is the Lynn Peak of Lynn Headwaters Regional Park . The sign is welcome enough, feel like going to be a good day.

 Here is a map of the entire park, but I am only going to explore a small part of it - small but uneasy!

See! it says challenging routes! The goal is the orange colour route, 8.8km return, est. 4.5 hours of I quote "steep, steady climb."

I guess this is the welcome warning sign.

 At the beginning of the trail is a nice little bridge - nothing feels more refreshing than raging water beneath your feet.

 Here we go!

 The trail begins... this doesn't look too bad.

 What the?! Is this part of the "trail"? Am I supposed to walk across this? Where do I step?

 View point #1 - beautiful trees hills

 View point #2 - you can see some snow if you stand close enough to the edge of the cliff

 View point #3 - I feel tall

After two hours, starting to feel like I hit a stone wall...

 OMG Orz... it is possible?

 Got to the top!! You can see the Second Narrow Bridge, my house should be right...... there! (?)

Grouse Grind on July 03, 2011

I made it to the top!

 Just to prove that I did walk the whole grind.

 A view from the restaurant, I was impressed there are still some snow on the ground.

 A clear view of the mountain next to us... not a lot of sun today but just enough to cast shadows of clouds and project them on the hills.

 Gone to the back... what the?! So much snow!

Snow motorcycle abandoned on the side of the road, now I know what it feels like to sit on one.

 Vancouver now feels so small, so far away~

 Eye of the Wind, a $30 elevator ride.

 On top of the chair lift, good view, but very cold. I can imagine my friends in Tw would like this photo very much, works like an air conditioner.

 UBC?

LuLu Island Winery

I had no idea that we have this winery in the Lower Mainland. LuLu Island Winery shipped most of it's grapes from the Okanagan and it also have it's own grapes growing on its 10 acre land. On this Canada Day weekend LuLu Island Winery celebrates it's 3rd anniversary and it offers free sampling of five of their own wines. I tasted their Maritage, Pinot Gris, Gerwurztraminer, Iceder (mix of apple cedar and ice wine), and their award winning Chardonnay-Riesling Ice wine. To me their wines are very easy drinking and is great for chilling in a summer afternoon.

My First... Squeeky Wheel Experience

I think this is my first time of receiving a bouquet of flowers, and it is because a co-worker had gave all the ladies in the office peonies but left the guys out. So I jokingly said "where are my flowers?" And the next day, beautiful flowers from her garden. Of course I got some "you are one of the girls now" jokes, but I can take it, it is worth it.

But I have to say I do feel really bad, because this is a "squeeky wheel experience". I have always hated the saying "the squeeky wheel gets the grease" with passion. This saying is encouraging people to complain and whine about their life, and expecting someone else to fix it for them. I've always been taught to be modest, hardworking, and maintain a positive attitude of life, so I always mutter less than nice words under my breath when I hear people complaining without attempting to create a solution.

None the less, the flowers are beautiful. I guess you ask, and you shall receive!

One Week After

One week after the Vancouver riot, things seem to be back to normal. The story is still news-worthy since businesses would start to press charges. But downtown Vancouver, even with the fences and plywood, feel just like the way it always has been.

Reading the messages and the scribbles on the wall doesn't really lessen what I feel about the riot, till I saw these paper cranes that symbolize wishes and hope.

It seems like Bank of Montreal have their glasses installed today - 3 vans from a glass company leaving just as I walked pass by. Things are getting back to normal.

But the black marks are still left on our city, and they will not be easy to erase.

near skytrain entrance at Seymour and Georgia

the parkade near Richards and Georgia

For some reason the flags in front of the library is at half-mast... seems kinda appropriate but I am sure it is for some other reason.

Vancouverites are Vancouverites, one riot does not change anything, we are who we are. It is up to those who have been here and seen who we are to make their own judgement.

The Sad Truth after the NHL Playoff

These photos are taken in the car lot of a famous local dealership. They show the same car, but before and after the NHL Playoff.

Sad, but true.