• Laundry Assistant: http://t.co/MtlLQkUi #
• 3 NBA games at once, all pretty close! http://t.co/6Tz72VTS #

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Whenever I’m trying to do some cleaning around the apartment, especially with laundry, Penny seems to want to help.

Actually, it’s more that she just wants me to take my attention off what I’m doing and direct it all towards her instead. As usual.

My Laundry Assistant

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A friend recently called me the take-out queen.  That hits pretty close to the truth.  For months now it seems, I’ve been eating out or getting delivery almost every night.

Not lately though!  Like I do with reading and exercise, I’m currently on a cooking streak!  I really do enjoy cooking, but I just need to get in a particular mood to do so.  Just like it is with working out, it’s  a lot easier once you get started.

Some shots taken with my camera phone and DSLR.

Getting ready to make beef and eggplant stir-fry.

I followed a recipe in Ghillie Basan’s Vietnamese Food & Cooking for a minced meat with charred aubergine dish.  Step 1 was to put the aubergines (eggplant) directly over an open flame.

Charring my eggplants.

Later, when I saw that beef and shitake mushrooms were on sale, I decided to make a beef and broccoli stir-fry.

Setting up for a beef, broccoli and shitake stir-fry.

The next day I was in the mood for something a bit healthier and picked up a large salmon filet to split.

Salmon filets after about an hour of marinating.

Teriyaki salmon with baby greens.

Finally, I splurged on some quinoa as a side for my top sirloin steak.  I had been wanting to try quinoa for a while, and after reading about this super grain (in reality, a seed) in Reader’s Digest, I gave in and bought the only brand available at Ralphs for $11.99 a bag.  Eek!

Quinoa, top sirloin, parsley and Brussels sprouts.

Per a tip in the Reader’s Digest article, I toasted the quinoa before preparing it.

Before toasting: quinoa on a cooking sheet.

Toasted quinoa.

I prepared the toasted quinoa according to package instructions and mixed in some chopped parsley.

Cooked quinoa.

The Brussels sprouts roasted as the steaks were cooking.

Roasted Brussels sprouts.

The finished meal was paired with some homemade pickled bean sprouts and a glass of chianti—yum!

Quinoa, top sirloin steak, roasted Brussels sprouts and pickled bean sprouts.

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My tulips are starting to get a bit droopy.  The stems are growing too long and the heads are getting weak.

I trimmed a good amount off the stems tonight and pulled off the lower leaves.  Once in a narrower vase, they’re back to looking fresh and lovely.

After a trim and in a new vase.

• Crispy pork and water spinach (thakhuon) http://t.co/40JvJo8V #
• Girl in here looks like the Kristen Wiig character with giant forehead and tiny arms. One word, lady: bangs - they can change lives. #
• People always get angry when I refuse to let them in the building. If I don’t know, I’m not letting you in to where I live. Get over it. #
• Start Trek Online, the MMORPG, is now free! Off to download and surrender my social life: http://t.co/Bfh9VO7r #

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• I know it’s been less than a week but I think I’m due for a trip back to Crispy Pork Gang & Grill! #

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I was on the bus Tuesday when I suddenly noticed that the sky was on fire.  It was quite possibly the most vibrant sunset I’ve ever seen.  With A Dance with Dragons fresh on my mind, I immediately thought “dragonfire.” I wanted so badly to be outside taking photos, but alas, I was stuck in transit.

Thankfully, plenty of Los Angelenos took note and took out their cameras.  This gorgeous photo is featured in an LAist article about the sunset and is by derekhough.

Photo by derekhough

I know it’s probably due to all the particles/smog in the air, which caused such an amazing scattering of light, but I don’t care.  It was breathtaking! I living in L.A.!

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Once last week’s daffodils started to wilt, I bought a 10-stem bunch of tulips.  I was going to put them in with the daffodils, but something made me decide to Google “cut tulip care” first.  It was a good thing I did! The first result I went to mentions specifically not to put tulips in with daffodils.  Disaster averted!

Tulips - Day 1

All the flowers I’ve bought open up pretty quickly after they’ve been cut and arranged.

Tulips - Day 2

That same site mentioned how tulips never stop growing, and even cut they continue to grow longer and get all bendy.  This was very evident today as I had to trim the stems again!

Tulips - Day 3

I love having fresh flowers around!

My Winter Tulips

• Warm, breezy and smells like a garlicky stir fry outside. Love it!! #

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