Paper Anniversary

Yesterday was our 4rth and paper anniversary. It means we've known each other/dated for 4 years and just got married last year. The same date, so nobody forgets. (I'm mostly the forgetful one. )

We decided to go on a cruise around San Francisco Bay, have lunch somewhere in the pier area and watch Harry Potter.


At Embarcadero along Market St. waiting for a cable car to take us to Pier 39 because we thought it would be faster. We were wrong because 3 of the cable cars that went by were all jam-packed with people, almost like sardines. So we decided to walk.

Stopped and perused the stalls selling arts and crafts.



Pangga bought me rainbow swarovski earrings at this stall.

Arrived at Pier 43 ½ where Red and White Fleet is located. This fleet was launched in 1939 as part of the Golden Gate International Exposition, this cruise has been a highlight of any visit to San Francisco for 70 years. Sailing along San Francisco's breathtaking waterfront, under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, and closely around notorious Alcatraz Island.-www.redandwhite.com



Breathtaking views of San Francisco on a beautiful day. You can see the Coit Tower and Transamerica Pyramid.

Coit Tower is a simple tower crowning Telegraph Hill overlooking the San Francisco waterfront and built to fulfill the bequest of Lillie Hitchcock Coit. The Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest and most recognizable skyscraper in the San Francisco skyline.
(Click photo for a larger view.)



Nearing the Golden Gate Bridge. It was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed during the year 1937. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, it connects the city of San Francisco on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County and has become an internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco and California. -http://en.wikipedia.org


Sailing directly under the massive 4,200-foot span of the 746-foot tall Golden Gate Bridge.


Watching the kitesurfers. Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard. - wikipedia.org






Alcatraz Island also referred as " The Rock". It served as a lighthouse, then a military fortification, then a military prison followed by a federal prison until 1963.- wikipedia.org



Posing with the "robot".

At Butterfly restaurant. It's located in Pier 33.
"After 3 years of success on Mission Street, Butterfly restaurant moved to its current location on Pier 33 in the Fall of 2003. Butterfly’s 5,000 sq. ft. dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows, offering dramatic views of San Francisco's bay. The open kitchen offers exciting views of Chef and owner Robert Lam, in action."-www.butterflysf.com


A fabulous surprise when I got back to our table. I didn't expect any present yet because of late delivery. Cool flower jewelry from Pangga and it matches my blouse perfectly! He bought this so he can still give me something during our day. Very thoughtful. Now, I'm curious what else is coming... Thanks a lot, Pangga!



Sumojito (capt. morgan 100 rum, gekkeikan sake, lime, mint),
Lycheetini (belvedere vodka, lychee puree) and view of the bay.

Kalua Pig with Butter Lettuce Cups ( hoisin barbeque dipping sauce, pepper brunoise, toasted cashews, minced green onions) and Beausoleil Oysters with a Bloody Mary Oyster Shooter ( classic champagne & Thai mignontte sauce).




Free Range Chicken and Rice Platter : Duck confit fried chicken leg, broken jasmine rice, sunnyside egg, caramelized onion and raisin demi glace, charred shisito peppers.







Mesquite Grilled Angus Filet Mignon: chinese sausage fried black sticky rice, white & green asparagus, shiimenji mushrooms, XO shrimp and chili sauce, foie gras butter.




After dinner, we went to Berkeley and watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. We liked it a lot because of the fantastic CGI and humor incorporated in the story.





We ended a perfect day by having some of our frozen wedding cake. We saved a slice from the top layer to follow tradition.

You can see some ice on the cake, the cake itself tasted like cardboard but the icing still tasted good.


We knew the wedding cake won't taste as good as it did a year ago ( LOL! of course), so we bought slices of rocky road and mocha roll from Red Ribbon.

It truly was a special and memorable day. One of many and looking forward to more.



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Radiant Rainbow

I couldn't help sharing more photos of the double rainbow we saw last weekend.
It's just so awesome! So here's a video clip and more photos. Enjoy!




The rainbow is fading.

The rest of the sky looked like this. *happy sigh*

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Lumpia

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I made lumpia for hubby's family when we went to Illinois.

"Lumpia are pastries of the Philippines and Indonesia of Chinese origin and are similar to spring rolls. The recipe, both fried and fresh versions, was brought by the Chinese immigrants from the Fujian province of China to Southeast Asia and became popular where they settled in the Philippines and Indonesia. In the Netherlands, it is spelled "loempia" which is the old Indonesian spelling for lumpia and has also become the generic name for "spring roll" in Dutch."- wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumpia

Ingredients:

* Spring roll pastry can be bought in Asian stores.
It's usually found in frozen goods.

For Filling:

* 2 tbsp. vegetable oil for sauteing
* 1 cup of vegetable oil for frying rolls
* 2 tbsp. minced garlic
* 1/2 medium onion, sliced
* 1 lb. ground beef
* 1/2 lb. bean sprouts
* a dash of salt, pepper & thyme
* 1 stalk spring onions, chopped

You can add any kind of vegetables you want.


Directions:

1. Heat oil, then sauté garlic and sliced onion until slightly browned.

2. Add beef and brown lightly. Adjust stove to low heat, cover pan for 5-10 minutes until cooked.

3. Season with salt, pepper and thyme according to preference. Add bean sprouts and spring onions, then stir occasionally for 2 minutes.

4. Drain and set aside to cool.



Place about 2 tablespoons filling at the bottom of the roll pastry.
Fold pastry over filling and at the sides.

Roll as shown below.

Wet the edges with water to close the roll.


Fry until golden brown. Drain in paper towels. Enjoy!