Lots of food references in the photos this week. I've once again fallen into a state of somnolent collapse, brought about by our current week's holiday for Spring Break and the absolute lack of any urgency to do, say, eat or accomplish anything in particular at all. With that constant thought and with a dilatory mindset, once again the writing of this blog is tardy. Not only late, it will also be brief so I can return to my current life of doing nothing much at all!
Cass had her book club on Friday and it was a resounding success, save for the unusual non-rising of her Pavlova: I was the lucky recipient of a spare piece, so can attest to the fact that it was indeed of her usual delicious standard, just looked like a pin-pricked balloon. All "the preparations" were worth it apparently: anyway, Cassy has ticked that off her list for another year till her turn comes round again.
We dined at the incomparable Din Tai Feng on the weekend once more and revelled in their delicately steamed and arranged xia long bao along with our regular accompaniments. Or, in fact, is it "incomparable"? I was fascinated to be alerted (via facebook) to the existence of this eatery in our hometown...we'll be sure to test its authenticity when we return for our long break in June.
I ate at yet another Chinese restaurant on Friday night en-route to Roxy Rocker: I wonder if anyone can identify the vegetable on the far right, in the middle above the mushrooms, with the little tendrils poking out at weird angles? I don't know what it was, but it tasted good!
At SOGO supermarket, Cassy spotted some tiny Australian potatoes (which we've never spotted in Taipei before). The local version is plentiful, but tastes a little floury in comparison. She bought some at crazy expense to make her potato salad on Friday night have a little extra zing. I've previously taken a shot of the aisles of soy sauce in our local supermarket, but how about the rice? This is just a selection of their selection!
Australian beef and a "Hello Kitty" computer mouse round out the department store/supermarket photos.
Gurecki was off to Nagasaki for the week, but we managed to sneak in a few beers down at Uli's on Friday. How appropriate for the pink shirted man to front the sakura? They are nearing the end of their bloom in southern Japan at the moment.
We've just picked up the "girls" this morning from their bi-annual teeth cleaning. Getting them basketed, into the car and off to the vets is always quite physically and emotionally taxing (for them and us!): this time, like last, we opted to have them stay overnight to sleep off the worst effects of the anesthesia When we picked them up this morning, they seemed a little less sluggish than usual: maybe the vet has adjusted their dose. Despite the hissing and spitting when they pass one another (some weird by-product of the anesthetic that lasts for days) they seemed very relieved to be back in their own environment.
Cass is devouring Barry Maitland's Chelsea Mansions, while I am attempting to savour Peter Corris's Comeback....we've both been saving these for a special treat!
Check out the "Dinta's" master dumpling artists right here, or above for a limited time.
We're planning to get right back to our dilatory week starting right now!