Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

In case we had forgotten why we had the day off from school today, google reminded us:

Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival is today, the 15th day of the eighth month following the lunar calendar.  In Taiwan many families celebrate with moon cakes, pomelo fruit and BBQ.

Sample platter for teachers at school.  Some moon cakes are sweet, some "salty" (usually meat-filled).  

We like the sweet ones!

Tea for two

Tea served in two very different ways, both found in Taichung:

 Green tea served in heavy cups along with rice and hot pot

English black tea served with milk and sugar in delicate tea cups

 along with crust-less sandwiches and scones

A slice with a side of clam

Your local Italian place in Taiwan may not have pepperoni pizza, but there's a good chance they will serve a seafood pizza.  Often with a sprinkling of corn for good measure.

Sunny New Hampshire

We spent the last 10 days visiting New Hampshire and some of Jeremiah's family.  We started at Stout Oak Farm in Epping with cousin Kate and her husband Jeff and then went to Uncle Ron and Aunt Barbara's summer house at Emerald Island on Lake Sunapee.

We helped Kate where we could on her farm - weeding, harvesting, washing and taking the organic vegetables to farmer's markets.  We caught up over crops of onions and snap peas.  It was a great learning experience for us to see all that goes into growing and preparing organic foods and having fresh vegetables for meals everyday was amazing.

Jeremiah and his aunt weeding

Eight ball zucchini, garlic and scallions ready for market 

At Lake Sunapee we took relaxation to whole new level.  We chatted, read, kayaked, swam, and ate ice cream.  The weather was perfect, the house amazing and the company wonderful.

We are now back in Oregon now and have been greeted by rain.  This weekend we head to Central Oregon and at the end of the month we head back to Taiwan.

All-American Fourth of July

Family + BBQ + games + homemade cake and ice cream + fireworks = a happy 4th!

Napa and Sanoma - wine country

Vineyards

Olive oil tasting - perfect for the pregnant ladies

Flowering Cactus

Hot pot galore

All you can eat buffet hot pot - how can it get any better?  You pick your soup broth, veggies, proteins, sauces and then add some side dishes (dumplings, salad, lo bao gao) and finish off the meal with some mochi or ice cream.  Delicious!