*Here is one of the deleted posts from last week that was lost with it’s first few comments. Apologies if it’s a repeat for you. I’m still working on fixing a few links and pictures in old posts. Note to self–don’t let hosting expire*

If you look through some of my past recipe/food posts you will see The Steamy Kitchen blog mentioned several times and there is a reason.  I love Jaden’s simple yet seriously delicious recipes.

Source

I’ve been eying her book for awhile and recently splurged for the purchase when my local Border’s was going out of business and tempted me with discounts. The book is The Steamy Kitchen cookbook and it’s my new favorite.

Her book is just as wonderful and amazing as the blog.  Honestly I sometimes find Asian cooking intimidating and I’m Chinese.  I always feel like it’s too labor intensive, difficult and I’d have to spend a small fortune on Asian ingredients in some store that was not convenient to get to.  That is where Jaden’s expertise comes in.  Her recipes are easy to follow and no strange ingredients.  Even if there is one that you normally would not have on hand, she will give you a simple substitute.  Not to mention the writing in the book is similar to the blog, personable, funny and easy to read with detailed instructions that include pictures.

Every recipe looks absolutely wonderful and I’m tempted to cook only Asian food for a week straight.  However, I must pace myself or I’ll gain unnecessary amount of weight.

Do you cook any favorite Asian recipes?  What’s your most loved cookbook?

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Just sharing some I love and am excited about. Although Jaden and Ree (The Pioneer Woman) were recently in San Francisco for BlogHer.  I told my husband that I hoped I would run into them. He said they’d think I was crazy although he does love every recipe I make from their cookbooks and blogs. I told him he just doesn’t understand the blogging world. I never did run into them to find out.

Hi All! My last 2 posts and comments since last Thursday have been deleted. Long story short: my hosting expired, deleted everything, paid to restore it but could only get up to last Thursday. I’m in the process of fixing a few other things that got messed up and then will repost those posts. Hopefully in the next day or so. Just thought I’d give you an update in case you wondered what happened to the posts and your comments.

No idea why, but I have been on a tofu kick lately.  It’s cheap, stays good for a long time, is easy to cook and is healthy.  We’ve been using tofu for stir fry, soup, tacos, pizza and just by itself.

Here are a few tofu recipes that I’ve been making at home lately.

Tofu and Soba Noodles with Lemon Ginger Dressing (via Steamy Kitchen)

Love the extra little kick the cayenne pepper gives the dressing.  I’ve also been loving homemade dressing, but that is another story.

Tofu Steak (via Tasty Kitchen)

Love the texture and I like to serve along with a noodle or rice dish and top with the flavors and sauce from that dish.  Make sure to get as much water out as you can.  After slicing I put between paper towels and rest a pan lid on top gently pressing.  This helps the tofu not to break apart as much.

Next on my list of tofu recipes is this Spicy Eggplant and Tofu Stir Fry.

Do you like tofu? Any good recipes to try?

After a much delayed absence, I am back.  Our weekends and weeks have been filled with travels, house guests and general end of summer rush.  However, now I’m ready to start posting regularly again and catch up.

In my time away, I officially decided that it is time to start my Weddingbee recaps.  Yes, for reals.  I already have our 1 year anniversary post basically ready to go (a little late).  But, I have been delaying with trying to figure out how exactly to do it.  I’m going to merge my old wedding blog with this one to save time and resources while writing recaps, but how exactly to organize is the question.  To make things easier I decided to ask you the best way to do recaps.  Please advise based on your preferences or how you did recaps (keep in mind recaps will be getting posted on Weddingbee as well).  Also, I’ll still be posting my regular random content that has nothing to with weddings throughout the week.

Options for Recaps…which one best describes your thoughts

1. Just merge it completely into the normal blog.  Recap posts will show up like any other post you do.  I don’t mind seeing some wedding stuff here and there.

2. Give the recap posts a “read more” option.  That way I can see a teaser and decide if I really want to read more or just move on to your normal posting.

3.  Just put the wedding stuff including new recaps on a whole separate wedding tab that I can access from the main blog.

4. I am really over weddings and don’t want to see it on this blog.  Keep the blogs entirely separate.

5. None of these are right. I’ll explain below.

I’m leaning towards option 1 or 2.  I don’t think the posts will be overwhelming and there will still be lots of other content to go with it.  Since I’m no longer in fully wedding mode my mind won’t be able to focus exclusively on the topic.

It’s no secret that I love all things paper.  Paper crafts, stationery, letterpress, my cricut that cuts paper, paper collections and any sort of detail that involves paper.

Lately I’ve been wanting to create some sort of paper garland to decorate our home.  I know it’s often used for a party but, I think the right combination and placement can add some pop and fun to a room.

Paper Garland inspiration…

Even the spools are cute.  I think some layered strands criss-crossing over each other would be a fun backdrop.

Kristina Marie Etsy Shop via With this Ring

When the garland hangs straight down it creates almost a chandelier effect.

Eat Drink Pretty

This is such a creative idea.  Imagine adding it to a little boys room.  I love the simplicity of white airplanes, but coordinated colors could look just as good.

Smile and Wave

Bunting is so popular right now.  Ruffled Blog makes it easy with downloading your letters in different patterns.

Ruffled Blog

I adore this version of paper garland with the different patterns and how each piece fans out.

The TomKat Studio

Sometimes it’s not so much your DIY but appreciating someone else’s. I want to buy something from this shop, I just can never make up my mind which one.

Bookity from Etsy

Now I just need to get out my paper and start cutting away.

p.s. I start my sewing class tonight!! So excited!!