A Song by Edgar Albert Guest

None knows the day that friends must part
None knows how near is sorrow;
If there be laughter in your heart,
Don't hold it for to-morrow.
Smile all the smiles you can to-day;
Grief waits for all along the way.

Today is ours for joy and mirth;
We may be sad to-morrow;
Then let us sing for all we're worth,
Nor give a thought to sorrow.
None knows what lies along the way;
Let's smile what smiles we can to-day.

Japchae (Noodles with beef and sesame)

Here is the recipe for one of my favourite dishes that Rosalinda likes to cook for some of our special occasions! She always does it just right!


Ingredients:

• 5 oz (150g) beef, cut into thin strips
• 4 dried black Chinese mushrooms (Shiitake mushrooms are good for this), soaked until soft, rinsed well and squeezed dry, stems trimmed, caps sliced
• 8 oz (250g) dangmyeon or dried glass noodles (Korean stores should have this on hand . . . it's a kind of vermicelli made from sweet potatoes)
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot peeled and cut into matchsticks
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

Marinade

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 green onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Seasoned Spinach

• 5 oz (150g) spinach, roots trimmed, sliced
• 1 teaspoon sesame paste (use a mortar and pestle on sesame seeds)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Egg Strips

• 1 egg, white and yolk separated
• Oil, for frying

1. Combine the Marinade ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Add the beef and mushroom and mix until well coated. Allow to marinate for 20 minutes.

2. To make the Seasoned Spinach, bring a saucepan of water to a boil and blanch the spinach for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat, rinse in cold water and drain. Squeeze out any excess water from the spinach. Place the spinach in a bowl and season with sesame paste, salt and pepper. Set aside.

3. Bring the saucepan of water to a boil again and cook the noodles until soft, 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat, rinse the noodles in cold water and drain well.

4. Prepare the Egg Strips, lightly grease a clean nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat until hot. Pour in the egg white, tilting the pan to form a thin layer. Reduce the heat to low and cook until set, 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Repeat to fry the egg yolks in the same manner. Thinly slice the cooked egg.

5. Heat the oil in a nonstick wok over high heat and stir-fry the garlic until fragrant and golden brown, about 30 seconds. Add the marinated beef and mushroom and the marinade and stir-fry until cooked, 1-2 minutes. Add the vegetables and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, seasoning with the salt and pepper. Stir in the noodles and toss until well blended, adjusting the taste with more seasonings as desired. Remove from the heat. Transfer to serving platters, top with the Egg Strips and serve hot.

Serves 4

(Like Pizza, this reheats well and also tastes good cold)

Abigail and Charlize listening to CKUA Old disc jockey

Abigail and Charlize listening to CKUA Old disc jockey, originally uploaded by Urijamjari.

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Fraction of a second before a smile guys her face!

Fraction of a second before a smile guys her face!, originally uploaded by Urijamjari.

In the giant Kids Fringe sand box
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At the kids Fringe

At the kids Fringe, originally uploaded by Urijamjari.

Abigail likes saying cheese
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My Haircut at Mickeys by Naif the barber IMG00129.jpg

My Haircut at Mickeys by Naif the barber IMG00129.jpg, originally uploaded by Urijamjari.

Hmmmm ... What do you think should I go back to him for the next haircut?
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The kids are loving the galaxy kids IMG00107.jpg

The kids are loving the galaxy kids IMG00107.jpg, originally uploaded by Urijamjari.

It was only 10 bucks for both as they let Abigail come in free. Beats Let's play
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Here is a pic of the plywood bottom IMG00101.jpg

Here is a pic of the plywood bottom IMG00101.jpg, originally uploaded by Urijamjari.

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Couch has a plywood bottom IMG00102.jpg

Couch has a plywood bottom IMG00102.jpg, originally uploaded by Urijamjari.

as the plastic 'springs' wore out but the armchair has the springs intact(see next picture ).
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IMG00100.jpg

IMG00100.jpg, originally uploaded by Urijamjari.

I'm trying to sell this armchair and matching couch but I will just give them away if I have nobody offering cash
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