Sunday, July 4, 2010

4th of July Pockets of Joy!

Hi Everyone!  I hope everyone's having a great 4th of July so far.  It's still too early here for fireworks, but that hasn't stopped people from setting some off last night!  Chris and I will be heading over to our friends Marla and Mark's house for some BBQ later but right now as I'm typing this, him and my wonderful Daddy is outside building our deck.

I grew up as an only child, so I am extremely close to my parents.  I lived at home on and off throughout college and never got tired of hanging out with the 'rents.  Once I moved out on my own, I missed the feeling of being at home a lot.  My fondest memories of my childhood would be me hanging out in the living room with the TV on, my mom getting the dinner ready in the kitchen, and my dad outside fixing or busy making something.  Well, this is the scene that is going on right now.  It almost brings me to tears because I'm so happy!  What a wonderful July 4th!

As you can see the deck is coming along nicely.  Tomorrow we should be able to lay down the top main part of the decking.  My dad is turning 60 this year, yet he still moves around as if he's 25!  Sometimes I think he's a little ADD because he can never really rest well.  He's worked straight for the last few days from 9 am to 6 pm straight.  Chris has been working alongside him, learning a lot as this is his first time building a deck.  I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Our family is from a city in Northeast China, and in terms of food, we're famous for our dumplings.  If you are a woman from that city, you'd better know how to make some good dumplings.  Your worth in the kitchen is dependent on how great your dumplings are!  And my mom makes some awesome little pockets of joy!  Today's filling is pork, onions, chives and shrimp!  She folds each and every one of them beautifully, taking great care and time even though it takes seconds to swallow one up!  My dumplings are messy looking and can never compare to my Mommy's...that's why whenever possible, she'll make them for me.  :)


Happy 4th everyone!  Enjoy and be safe!

11 comments:

  1. Oh, those dumplings look AMAZING!!!!

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  2. that is so cuuute how your dad and Chris are working side by side on what I bet will be a beautiful deck! And your mom's dumplings are so pretty! Reminds me of me and my mom, I for sure cannot roll eggrolls as beautifully as she does! Have a happy 4th!

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  3. Happy 4th!! Those dumplings sound delicious! :-)

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  4. Looks like you're having a wonderful long weekend! My grandmother used to make the best dumplings - those pics make me miss them!

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  5. First of all---LOVE THE GLASS TILE BACKSPLASH in your kitchen!!!! so pretty!!

    okay, now about the deck. I think it's so cool your dad is helping and showing Chris the ropes. How neat is that. And the dumplings look awesome! What a great tradition to pass along from your mom to you. My grandmother was from Germany and always made pierogi, which are very much like dumplings and my mom and I always say no one could make them like Oma.

    Have a wonderful evening!

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  6. Can't wait to see the final deck picture! Those dumplings look delish!

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  7. Sounds like the perfect day! Don't you just love asian mommies? I wish I could take my cute little mom everywhere I went. Happy 4th!

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  8. Yum on the dumplings, and wow - your dad knows how to build a deck! That's so cool! I love it! :D I need handy-skills. The only tool I'm really proficient at wielding is the glue gun.

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  9. Oh Cindi, I love the photos of your dad and Chris building that deck! It's things like that which really make a house a home. You two are already starting to build wonderful memories there. I can't get over how freaking adorable your dad is! He reminds me of my dad in so many ways. :)

    And don't even get me started on your mom! Those dumplings are perfect and she is sooo cute making them! Dumplings are pretty much my favorie Chinese food of all time. I think I might want to learn how to make them now. Hm. New project?

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  10. Thanks everyone! The dumplings were truly kind to my tummy...they were SO great. I wish I could cook them the way my mom does!

    I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe July 4th. I'm trying to enjoy the last day off before going back to work tomorrow. Ugh! =)

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  11. Just catching up on my blog reading and oh MY! What a wonderful 4th of July! I think your dad and my dad are so similar - mine is 61 this year and he never stops ticking! He's always building/fixing, etc. and he will do anything for his girls (it's me and my sister). I love my family sooo very much.

    Those dumplings have me drooling!

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