Spice Cabinet Make-Over

I recently tackled another organizational project. I don't know why matching, labeled little jars make me so happy. Or why neat, alphabetical rows make cooking from scratch all that much more satisfying.  Perhaps it's just the need to have something in my life seem tidy, haha.

Thanks to all of you who've sent us these herbs and spices, and thanks Mom for sending over the materials to make the labels! Much love.

Smoke & Beauty

Many things that James and I experience here are juxtapositions. I snapped both these photos today.

The first is of the gorgeous cherry blossoms that are decorating branches all over our city. The sky may look blue in the photo, but it's actually a very hazy gray. Our city has been in a drought for three years, and forest fires have been breaking out all over the mountains recently. The second photo, taken from our apartment this evening, is of the setting sun obscured by smoke. Both the flowers and the fires seem wildly noteworthy to me, but locals have waved off my interest with comments like, "Yes, yes, pretty flowers," and "It's not smoke, it's just fog because it's so dry." I wonder what beauty and dangers I have been completely oblivious to at home simply because they're commonplace.

recent happenings

Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) is always a really busy time for us and our friends. But now that the holiday is over, it's back to the grind. One big change we've made this semester is that I'm studying a minority language. I'm using the same learning style we used for Chinese called GPA (Growing Participator Approach). GPA's emphasis is on comprehension and speaking with little to no reading and writing. This approach leads to lots of hands-on activities and community participation. Going to the market to learn how to buy produce is one of the lessons. Another would be going to the "Home Depot" part of town to learn how to buy tools, etc.

One of our good friends got married not too long ago, but it was right in the middle of Spring Festival and many people (including us) were out of town. So she and her new hubby had a reception of sorts after the holidays for people who couldn't attend. It's tradition for wedding guests to give a 红包, or "red envelope" with cash inside. The money ranges anywhere from $15 to $100 depending on your relationship with the couple. Chinese couples often have multiple weddings, one in each of their towns. This makes for quite a stressful wedding day (or weekend) but the money rolls in so there's often not too many complaints :)

Our old Chinese teachers who are now in Kunming studying for their master's degree in Engish translation also came back for the holidays to spend time with family. They took us and a few other foreign students out for a local chicken hot pot dinner. Chicken hot pot consists of a vat of continual boiling chicken broth with chicken parts in it (some good, some not). Throughout the night, you add other vegetables to the broth, such as mushrooms, potatoes, carrots and various leafy greens.  My favorite part is the little bowls of peppers, salt, cilantro, tofu and MSG that you add broth to and dip your chicken meat and vegetables in to give it that extra bit of flavor. Mmmm... But seriously, it really does taste good!

Lastly, we've had some beautiful weather around Lijiang the last few weeks. It seems like Spring has come early. The cherry trees are blossoming, many of the local orchids are for sale in the market, and the weather is peaking in the 70's during the afternoon. Laura was able to grab some snapshots of the mountain after a nice snow storm.