Blue shoes that is..Yes, somehow this little lady walked out of the house this morning, got on the elevator, never really looking at the shoes I grabbed and put on my feet.
Needless to say, they were blue, (very blue) and I was wearing hunter green and black.
I didn’t see them until I hopped out of the car when Mr. B dropped me off at work in the morning. Goodness, my hand hit my mouth, I giggled, had to show Mr. B. All I got was a big smile and, “niceeee”.
Eek!! Just another manic Monday!
Life is such a blessing!
Friday night we went out on the town for date night. We met up with some of our good friends, and their sweet baby boy. We enjoyed a wonderful meal at a newly discovered restaurant very close to our house.
We stumbled upon this place while on one of our weeknight walks downtown. We both said that we’d have to go back sometime and try the place out. Ohhh goodness folks, we were so glad we did!
The Korean ladies loved baby G to pieces, they fussed over him the entire time we were there. Anytime the adults were talking and looking away they would immediately gush all over him picking up his sunglasses that he’d drop onto the floor, removing any rice he might have stuck to himself, wiping his nose or face. It was so entertaining plus baby G milked it for all it was worth. What a little ham!
I can tell…you are curious and wondering what exactly a pork shell and lib is.
Well, I just cannot help myself, I just have to share with all of you how my sweet little Korean co-worker translated the menu for me. She was explaining each dish, doing a fantastic job too! She started to lose me towards the middle of the menu when she started to use the term lib and shell. I just wasn’t understanding what a shell or lib could possibly be on a pig. After talking some more and using some gestures we realized that shell was skin to me and lib was really a rib. We giggled, it was just to cute!
Mr. B Getting schooled in the art of meat grilling. (again) HA-HA!
A success of a date night if i don’t say so myself. Three cheers for pork shell and libs 🙂
Saturday I buzzed solo. I was in dire need of some hair attention. I walked down to the train station, caught the train and headed towards Seoul at 7:15AM. The sun was already out, our Korean neighbors already had their peppers out drying in the morning sun. Whew… the month of August doesn’t mess around in Korea…hot….muggy… I just cannot remember being this hot last year here. Perhaps I don’t want to remember?
After my hair appointment I walked throughout Itaewon. I knew there were two places that I wanted to check out while it was nice and I had the time to dawdle. Life is just a cup of cake, and the High Street Deli. Luckily these two places were fairly close to one another and I wasn’t out in the heat that much.
Life is just a cup of cake, is the most darling little cupcakory that is nestled back in off of the hustle and bustle of Itaewon’s main street. The outside of the place was just so inviting with its birdcage and cottage like feel. Who wouldn’t want to get sucked into this place?!
Once I got inside my nose immediately picked up on the cupcake aroma in the air and my eyes instantly fixated on all of the beautiful little cupcakes lined neatly under the countertop glass. So many important decisions to make…mind you these are the most delicious life decisions I really don’t mind having to make.
Next stop, High Street Deli. I knew I had to swing by this place because of Mipa! I wanted to support her awesome vegan baking business that she works so hard at. This little lady has serious talent! I ordered a veggie on wheat sandwich because the heat was starting to get to me and I figured something light would hold me over on the train ride back home.
While I was getting ready to leave I was paying and chatting with the Korean worker there. Of course the topic of the sun and heat made its way into the conversation. The man was very kind and said, “I hope that you have your sunblock on or a sunbrella”, you’ve got a convertible top going on there. Of course I had a nervous giggle not quite sure what to make of the convertible top comment. I scooted out the door and checked out my almost covered shoulders, Cotton-knit, knee-length sundress….Hmmmmphh.. he-he-he, convertible top 😉
Interesting in checking these two places out? Do it! They won’t disappoint, I promise!
For the restaurant in Dongducheon click here
For the Life is like a cup of cake location click here
For the High Street Location click here
I think it’s only human to long for simpler times, right?
You know, run the block until you literally cannot run anymore, swim until your lips are completely blue, teeth are chattering, and skin is all pruned, fill up on Swedish fish and peach rings before dinner knowing very well it may not end well for you.
Those were the days…
So where am I going with this blog post?
Well.. you see…I think that these complicated times call for simpler foods. I’m talking about the good old comforts of your childhood.
Yes! I don’t think I’ve had these little cheerful guys in about 5+ years.
I’m not completely sure how it happened.. all I remember is I was in the store, next thing what do you know, there is a can of SpaghettiOs in my basket! I couldn’t just shun them, and put them back on the shelf. At least they were the more adult choice, HA HA! (As adult as SpaghettiOs can be).
Enjoying..
savoring every bite..
as if it were a dish of smoked duck.
Silly, right? I know! But what delight because…
Next thing I know, I’m at my grandparents’ house lying on the breezeway floor, watching my never-ending cartoons.
Sometimes your body knows exactly what you need.
Although, it may not be the most nutritious or best thing to eat, but in that very moment, it was exactly what my body needed.
YUM-O!
Yep, I baked zucchini bread this afternoon.
Go ahead, just call me Julia! Or, Ms. Child, whatever you prefer.
To me, summer Sunday afternoons are ideal for baking…especially during the rainy, humid, dreary ones.
What are some of your favorite things to bake in the summer?
and he whispered,”I never want to leave this place….”
Typically I am not one for meats..
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a nice grilled cheeseburger in the summer like anyone else.
However, I don’t absolutely need to eat meat to feel full, or satisfied at a meal.
Well… that was until I had….
SAM-GYUP-SAL
Grilled Pork Strips
삼겹살
(Enter) Newest obsession = Dongua Grill.
Gosh, how did we not know this place exsisted before?
I’m absolutely dumbfounded!
Our perfectly acceptable local posted park guidelines….. 🙂
I guess it wouldn’t come as a shocker to know that I heard the Watermelon truck near our place this weekend, rushed out immediately and purchased another one. Obviously I wasn’t the only one needing a watermelon fix…
I was the first one to the truck. No sooner did I turn around from paying for my prized possession, people were darting across the street and pulling over out of traffic to grab one too.
Right away, I took it home and sliced it up. Naturally.
This weekend I got to Skype with my grandparents as well. It’s always so nice getting to talk to them. We always end up reminiscing about my childhood or theirs. Not to mention seeing someones face at the other end makes missing home a bit more easier.
Anyways, we talked about how fruit trucks were something normal from when they were growing up. They said it was normal to purchase your fresh fruits,vegetables, and sometimes fresh fish, from a truck that would stop by your home about once a week or so. My Grandma said that sometimes she thinks that times like those were more convenient than that of today. Fresh milk at your door every morning, eggs, etc. What an interesting perspective.
Strangely enough, South Korea has many of these options still available. The ladies that I work with get a weekly delivery of eggs, and a daily delivery of yogurt to their homes.
Also while talking with my grandparents we discussed various foods we both had been cooking lately. Cue the blueberries! When I was growing up, I can always remember the summer weekends during berry season at my Grandparents. I think because my Grandma would make a simple yet absolutely delightful instant vanilla pudding with fresh blueberries on top. Mmmm!
Well, you know me, clearly, I’m all about nostalgia these days so I knew I needed to make some for to cherish with Mr. B <3
Dig in!
