summer is almost gone

While I was cleaning my hard drive today, I found a batch of pictures that I took a month ago at my neighborhood Obon Festival. I glanced at my calendar and realized that summer is almost gone.

It is funny how summer comes and goes so quickly.

isaac | strong little man

We almost gave up on this because we arrived after the park closed. Isaac's dad, Peter dropped us off at the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park and found street parking a mile away. Peter is one super daddy!

Isaac was able to play at the beach for a while before the sunset. We had a great time. Isaac was one cheerful strong little man, moving heavy rocks around. He even ran up to the life guard tower visiting the life guard on duty.

second before Isaac dropped the stone on my feet. He almost got me =)

Thanks for hanging out with me. Mommy Beverly, I'll see you in a couple months for your *special* session. I'm excited as you are.

santa monica farmers market - part 2

I *LOVE* beets! I grew up in Hong Kong where no fresh beets were available at that time. When I was small, I will hide a can of Del Monte beets at the very back of the pantry whenever my parents got them from the supermarket. Obviously, I didn't really know what beets are when I was at that age. I thought those are candied fruits or something like that.

In California, fresh beets are basically available all year round. Since I made roast beets salad last time, I am going to make no-cook version using raw beets.


Raw beet salad on baby greens

- 3 beets, peel and cut into matchstick or use food processor to roughly shred them
- 1 shallot, minced
- extra virgin olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- some dijon mustrard, salt, and pepper to taste
- toss everything together with fresh dill

* you can serve this by itself or with baby greens salad. It is a perfect side dish for grilled flank steak or any grilled red meat too.

Peach in chantilly cream with Grand Marnier

Peaches are gorgeous this year too. Again,...another no-cook recipe.

- sliced peaches, 8 segments per peach
- heavy cream, whip to soft peak and fold in grand marnier to taste

Enjoy your summer!

santa monica farmers market - part 1

It's always exciting to check out new varieties of heirloom tomatoes at the Farmers Market. Before reaching my hand to the sample platters, it's already a feast for my eyes. When you are picking tomatoes, try to trust your nose too. Tomatoes grew in a field tend to have more taste and frangrant. In general, the darker the color (dark red to purplish red), the stronger the flavor. Orange and yellow tomatoes are usually sweeter like fruits. Green ones are usually crisp and acidic. It's a hot summer this year and of course I am going to use these juicy delicious tomatoes for salad (no cooking needed). My perfect summer salad is a good mix of tomatoes in different colors. Nothing fancy, just add freshly grounded sea salt and black pepper and drizzle them with olive oil.

I'm now heading out for a wedding in downtown LA. Will post other goodies from the market when I come back. Have a nice weekend everybody!

Santa Monica Farmers Market

Arizona Ave and 2nd St: 8:30am - 1:30pm, every Wednesday

Arizona Ave & 3rd: 8:30am - 1:30pm, every Wednesday

The Guerra's | wedding

The Guerra's are one of the most beautiful and joyful couple. It was a great pleasure celebrating their marriage with them and their families and friends at Coco Palm in Pomona. It was such a beautiful day.

Congratulations.

janet & ben | ceremony

Love can be so simple yet beautiful.

It was such a pleasure to capture Janet and Ben's "last minute" civil ceremony in Downtown Fullerton. The ceremony was quick but sweet. The newlyweds' friend, Johnny offered them a ride home on his cute little bicycle carriage with the couple's handmade "just married" sign taped on the back. Tourists picked some flowers from the sidewalk and sprinkled at the couple. Cars passed by and honked their horns. It was so sweet and fun.

Thank you for sharing your special day with me, Janet and Ben. Congratulations on your new life together. Wishing you both all the simple joys that make spending a lifetime together simply beautiful.

Hotel Maya | Long Beach

When Asian fusion and modern vintage (Kelly Wearstler and similar) themed hotels are done all over the place, modern Latin American themed hotel design is absolutely a breath of fresh air. Although it's not a new idea, its vibrant, eclectic, and hip factors can absolutely make Hotel Maya to become one popular waterfront venue for weddings and other commercial events. Formerly Coast Long Beach Hotel, Joie de Vivre acquired the hotel and reportedly invested in a 20-million face lift to reinvigorate this waterfront property. This property includes a private water canal and I heard that floating cabanas at the water canal is part of the design proposal (swanky!). I will definitely come back to check it out when the renovation is finished.

Hotel Maya

www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/losangeles/maya

700 Queensway Dr, Long Beach

CA 90802

(562) 435-7676

Designed by: DPS interiors and Arya architects