By GAIL MIYASAKI
Rafu Craft Editor
A four letter word, indeed. Love is . . . a newborn baby!
My first grandchild, Scout, made her arrival on her own time in NYC. Less than an hour after she was born on St. Paddy’s Day, I gently touched her face as she bonded with mommy, my daughter Brooke.
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart!” caught my eyes as we walked past the Winnie the Pooh wall décor at the hospital’s labor and delivery wing.
That’s so true! To feel such joy holding this precious package in my arms was awesome. To listen in wonderment to the cute sounds, tiny whimpers, then tonal changes as her cries went from soft to loud. To be entranced simply by watching her facial expressions — from silly smirks and one-eyed smiles, to frowns with worry lines across her forehead, to a state of dreaminess — makes me sigh.
The gentle love from new daddy Liam was apparent. As he gazed into Scout’s eyes, she locked with his — they were so naturally connected.
Our family is blessed with a remarkable extended circle of caring friends that crosses continents. For the time being, I’m floating on Cloud 9 as the proud gma.
Are you a nostalgic foodie? What comes to mind when you hear Tin Sing?
Bringing back those tasty flavors are members of the Poy and Linda Jung family. Although Poy passed some 30 years ago, Linda remains an integral part of the business, developing new recipes. Daughters Eleanor Huang and Lisa Chetti are running the show with favorite sauces from the Tin Sing kitchen.
Located in the South Bay, Ting Sing restaurant served Cantonese food for almost 40 years. This Gardena eatery closed their doors in 2005.
Pakkai? Try the tangy Classic Sweet and Sour Sauce to fill the bill over pork or chicken chunks, or seafood. A Classic Chinese BBQ Sauce creates magic with ground chicken for trendy lettuce wraps or ever popular, grilled char siu. Quick and easy to the rescue is their Lemon Chicken Sauce to complement stir fried chicken tenders or as a dipping sauce for appetizers.
Healthy and fat-free is key! No threat from the likes of MSG and preservatives.
Sauces and Wicked Wonton Snacks are available at Marukai, with future expansion into specialty grocery stores. Better yet, stop by for taster’s samplings at the Beary Best Spring Arts and Crafts Show in Buena Park on Sunday. Snag a few bottles for meals in the coming weeks ahead.
What about homyu? Hear tell that those homyu-deprived are on the lookout for the ultimate recipe or café. If you find it, let me know.
Sorry to say, but kiss almond duck good-bye. That pressed duck with chopped nuts is much too labor-intensive to be offered the way it’s remembered.
One who looks at laborious tasks as a challenge is Dr. Jennifer Kimura. Always good with her hands for crafty projects, she even learned how to knit and crochet by checking out YouTube videos while absorbed in dental studies locally and in NYC.
The end result: a mobile house-call dental office for this traveling dentist!
At friends’ requests, she started making crocheted dolls like Lilo and Stitch, Hello Kitty and the Disney princesses. Sci-fi geeky movies and TV shows are her thing. A full-blown Star Wars entourage includes such notables as R2D2 with a rotating head, Luke, Leia, Yoda, even Chewie and the stormtroopers.
Standing at about five inches, these Eggyolk labeled dolls are not intended for kids under three due to small accessory items—light sabers, eyes, ears and bejeweled clothing. Made of acrylic yarn with poly fiberfill, all are hand-washable.
Making patterns is by trial and error. Kimura can spend between three to eight hours making a single doll. Han Solo comes in at three, Darth Vader and Boba Fett claim the max time.
Definitely worth a look-see at this pre-Easter event for special gifts that will surprise!
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Sunday, April 1, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Beary Best Friends
Holiday Inn
7000 Beach Blvd., Buena Park
(562) 865-2637, Ellen Mabuni
Saturday, April 21, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
So-Phis Spring Fashion Show & Boutique
Anaheim Hilton & Tower Hotel
777 Convention Way, Anaheim
714-322-3310, Linda Honda
Sunday, April 29, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Nikkei Matsuri
Japantown
5th & Jackson, San Jose
(408) 241-0900, Warren Hayashi
Sunday, May 6, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
A Time for Sharing Spring Boutique
Elks Lodge
1735 W. 162nd St., Gardena
(310) 329-5874, Stephanie