Hurricane Harvey

Now that Hurricane Harvey has downgraded to Tropical Storm Harvey, I was just thinking earlier that I should just blog about this experience because, in a way, it's kinda funny.  

Tornado warnings. I slept through the first night when Harvey made landfall in my area. The next morning I saw too many alerts on my phone which I left it in my office. Then my husband said, "My phone kept beeping last night." We had no idea. And more warnings that day and that night. Yes, I had my phone with me the next night.

Eating off whatever that was in the fridge and freezer... just in case of power outage. No foods should go to waste. I have to say, we've saved a lot of money in the last 4 days.

Just wanted to eat carbs... chips, pita crackers, ice cream. My kids wanted to eat the same too. Wonder if it was stress eating.

Kids could still play with their friends... online. Thank you for no power outage. Then I heard my teen told his little brother that they needed to get up and do jumping jacks, saying "We can't sit around too long."

Heard my teen continually telling his friends, "The world is coming to an end." Then his little brother said, "I'm scared." And the first time he told his friend this, his little brother decided to take his iPad to the shelter and stayed there. His mommy was checking the radar and tornado warning status. Then his daddy said, "Camden, why are you sitting in the bathroom?" Bet you never said that to your kids.

As soon as the rainwater was halfway up the driveway, we did what was called "haul ass!!!" We didn't expect to flood. But we prepared for the floods within 2 hours. Talk about teamwork!!! (But I found my purse on the floor near the front door the next morning. How that get there?)

My mom messaged me via LINE app that there was a flood in Thailand a few weeks ago and now it was our turn. The world was coming to an end, and she didn't understand any of it. (Hmm... sounds familiar...)

Current situation? It's Monday, August 28th, 4:00pm.

The street in front of my house is still flooded... a tiny river. Wonder if I can make a hefty profit for my house now that it is a waterfront property.

See the pic... my neighbors took advantage of the new river.

Still rainy and very windy and feeling like it's Autumn. So cool outside. I kinda want to put up Fall decorations. Just last week, I was telling my friend who lives on the east coast that I wish I have Fall temperature sooner. But in Texas, Fall temp is around November. See, my wish came true. Camden was super happy when he felt the cool breeze.

You know that song "It starts to feel a lot like Christmas." Well, it starts to feel a lot like Autumn. (sigh) I need to have something pumpkinee which mean... more carbs? Hmm... pumpkin scones for dinner?

Update: As of Tuesday, August 29th, 2pm, streets are all dried up. Sunny a bit too. Feeling the Autumn wind.

We enjoyed pumpkin scones, boiled eggs, and chocolate milk with mini marshmallows for dinner last night, taking in our waterfront view. My teen also spotted our outdoor pet bunny. I noticed that he ate a slice of bread I left out for him. And our outdoor pet dove enjoyed leftover for breakfast.

From this experience, I would say my family and I tried to keep our sense of humor. But it is still stressful to watch the devastations on the news. So I am sending kick-ass energy to all people who are still under a lot of stress.


Update: As of Wednesday, August 30th, 2pm, streets outside my neighborhood were now passable. I was able to take my kids out and volunteered for pet rescue. Brek, Camden, and their friend, Winnie, organized and bagged blankets, cleaned dog crates, unloaded donations out of the cars. Camden and Winnie wished he was able to walk one of the dogs. When I asked, the dogs were being dropped off to take to the center or foster care. Those poor dogs looked so scared. Overall, my kids felt good that they did something great for the community.

Fruit Jam

Do I really need to blog about fruit jam? Seriously though. What's to talk about? Well, for one thing, what comes in a jar is not always just fruits. So here I go again. Talking about citric acid in the added pre-packaged food. What to do? Make my own, of course.

My dad luvs jams, especially blueberries. When he visited two years ago, he asked me to teach him how to make it. You know, the only ingredients in the jam should just be fruits and sugar. That's it. Just simmer the fruits of choice until they cook down. Then into the blender. Then let the fruit jam becomes nice and cold in the fridge (unless you like it warm). And there you have it... fruit jam.

Some recipes may ask for sliced apples as pectin. From my experience, fruits jams don't need anything. Once the sugar is cooked down, it will firm up enough to spread. So skip the apples. Something less to worry about, right?

Fruit Jam
make as much as you like

1 - 2 cups fruits of choice (berries, peaches)
1/4 cups granulated sugar (more or less to taste, you decide)

1. Wash fruits or berries. Take out stones and roughly chop if needed.
2. In a heavy bottom pot, add the fruits of choice with sugar.
3. Simmer until fruits are cooked down, about 15 minutes or more.
4. Set aside to cool down.
5. Add the fruits into the blender and blend until no chucks are visible.
6. Transfer the fruits into a mason jar.
7. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or add pretty label if it is for gifting. Remember to add expiration date too. Enjoy!!!

Allergy Info: This fruit jam is free from dairy, egg, corn, legumes (peanuts and soy), wheat, nuts, and fish. If possible, use organic berries and fruits.

Banana Fritters

I've been thinking about breakfast recipes a lot lately. So sick and tired of pancakes, waffles, and French toasts. Want something different.

Then I came across Bobby Flay's Banana Foster Beignets recipe in his brunch cookbook. Since I had 2 ready to bake bananas, I decided to make banana fritters for breakfast.

When I reread Bobby's recipe, I was wondering why he didn't add an egg. I mean beignets are usually yeast dough. But without eggs, I don't think they will turn out fluffy. Kinda strange.

So I modified his recipe by adding an egg. I ran out of large eggs or I went with extra large. I'll try large eggs next time and see if the texture makes a difference. I also added less sugar because I knew my kids would sprinkle a lot of powdered sugar until their fritters look like they are covered in snow.

When I think of beignets, I'd think of deep-fried yeast dough. You know the New Orleans beignets. I renamed this dish to a fritter because it has that doughnut taste to them. Well, whatever its name, my kids enjoyed them with cold glasses of goat milk. I had mine with morning coffee. Good life!!!

Banana Fritters
serve 3-4
adapted from Brunch at Bobby's Banana Foster Beignets

2 ripe bananas (7 oz.)
1/4 cup (3 oz.) granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons (1 oz.) coarse sugar
2 Tablespoons (1 oz.) coconut cream
1 extra large egg (2.1 oz.)
1 cup (4 oz.) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch ground nutmeg
cooking oil for deep frying
powdered sugar for serving

1. Place a cooling rack over a baking pan. Set aside.
2. Pour cooking oil (about 2 inches deep) into a heavy bottom pot.
3. Heat the oil until the candy thermometer registers at 350F.
4. In a large bowl, mix together bananas, sugars, coconut cream, and egg.
5. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
6. Whisk the flour ingredients into the banana ingredients until there are no lumps.
7. Using a small scoop, drop about 4-6 scoops into the oil.
8. Deep fried until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.
9. Take the fritters out of the oil and on to a cooling rack to let them drain.
10. Serve warm with a lot of powdered sugar. Enjoy!!!

Allergy Info: These banana fritters are free from dairy, egg, corn, legumes (peanuts and soy), nuts (not coconut) and fish.