I really shouldn’t be posting. I should be working on my new domain, but I can’t help it. It’s driving me insane and right now, and I just need the comfort of sticking to something that is basic and straightforward. Besides, I have tons and tons of pictures. So brace yourself. This post is gonna be a picture-diarrhea.
I usually only take pictures of food, but recently I’ve been taking more pictures of people, and less of food. I just haven’t been eating anything too interesting, since my parents are basically kimchi-and-rice people, and I don’t want to fill the fridge with “my” food (i.e: cheese) when I’ll be leaving in about 2 weeks.
Thus, I’ve found a more interesting model…My cousin! She flew in to Virginia to visit for the holidays, since otherwise she would be all alone in San Francisco…Say hi to Clara! 
Isn’t she cute? She’s 2 years younger than me, the same age as my brother. 
And yeah, we look nothing alike. 
Today, I took her to Washington D.C to take some pictures. My brother was our chauffeur, and his best friend, Chulhan, tagged along so my brother wouldn’t be the only male.
We basically stuck to a few tourist spots, just so Clara could brag to her friends that she visited the nation’s capitol. We went to the Washington Monument: 
Clara and I: 
My brother and Chulhan: 
We also went to the World War II Memorial: 
Hey, California! 
I want to go back to the warm sunny weather…What can I say? I’m a wimp when it comes to cold weathers!
My brother makes the sketchiest expressions… 
Clara makes the cutest expressions… 
And I just look so damn cool whatever expression or poses I make! 
I bitch about how boring DC is, but I had no idea how beautiful and well-kept it can be…even in the winter with bald trees! 
God was definitely on our side today. The weather was actually perfect! 
Final stop was the Lincoln Memorial: 
Hi, Lincoln, old fella! Watcha up to? 
Poor Lincoln, sitting there all day watching idiots like me taking pictures of him looking at me… 
And then we stopped by for Starbucks. I’ve been deprived of coffee in my parents’ house, so my first real-brewed coffee (not the instant crap) in several days tasted like liquid crack to me! 
Oh, Starbucks God, I worship thee! (Please don’t report me for heresy) 
I’ve also been baking up a storm! C & H Sugar generously provided me with a $20 gift certificate to pay for baking supplies to bake from their recipe collection. Check out their ample selection here…It took me several hours to read through each recipe, and I finally decided on four. I made the first two yesterday.
First, Crunchy Granola! 
Easiest recipe ever…just mix ingredients together, and bake! 
Oats, maple syrup, walnuts, coconut, sunflower seeds, C & H brown sugar, vegetable oil, cinnamon…The only changes I made was I used half-honey half-maple syrup, and added almonds and ground ginger. Bake for 45 minutes… 
And the BEST granola ever. Honestly. It was superb. I let my dad sample some, and he demanded I make another batch for him. Yes, demanded. This is hot stuff! 
All packaged and ready to send to some special people…:-)
I also baked their Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake: 
The only difference I made was that I used butter instead of oil, and I made it in four layers rather than three. 
The result? Utter bliss. This was chock-full of apples! And sooo rich and moist…Amazing! 
Even my cousin, who insists that she “hates” cinnamon, couldn’t stop eating it. 
Can you see the four alternating layers of apples, cinnamon-sugar, and rich cake? Yumm…
Already, both recipes I’ve tested turned out hugely successful. I can’t wait to try out the other two recipes I have in mind from C & H Sugar’s recipe collection! Thanks, C & H!
In addition to those two goodies, I also tried my own savory version of nuts:
Zesty Nuts
Directions: Melt butter over stove-top. Stir in walnuts, peanuts, and sesame seeds. Mix in the spices and seasonings, according to taste. Spread into a baking sheet, and bake at 350 degrees in the oven until nice and crunchy. I’ve also been writing my hand off in cards! Ah, winter holidays. I actually really enjoy doing all these stuff, but thank goodness it’s only once a year, because otherwise, my expression would probably look like this: Hahahaha! Just had to share it, because it cracks me up every time I look at it! I’ve got to jet now, but I forgot to say the most important thing ever… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Question of the day: What are you baking/making for the holidays?
I actually thought it was pretty good…It has a distinct, savory flavor, with a buttery, yet crunchy texture. My parents, however, thought it needed some honey. They like their nuts caramelized and sweet. 
Here’s the zesty nuts, packaged: 
I used Martha Stewart’s gift bags. Not sure I like the woman, but she does have a great sense of style.
Related posts:
merry christmas! i am not really making anything – i’m letting my mom do the heavy lifting, which she seems to want to to do.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Merry Christmas Girl!!! I love all the pics
That granola, and those nuts look amazing – I love the bag with the cute tags for the nuts!! Very sweet indeed.
I made some spiced nuts, but I didn’t put them in cute bags like you did – maybe next year!!
Have a wonderful day!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
wow that is a lot of pictures, but I love them all!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Merry Christmas!!! Hope you’re having a lovely day!
Awesome pics. Loving all the snow. Sometimes I wish it would snow in LA, but then again sometimes I wish didn’t make that wish. hehehe… Today I’m baking and cooking semi-Filipino meal. Hopefully it will all turn out ok.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
you are sooo flexible!! did you use to dance? Im jealous of course
aww D.C looks so pretty with all the snow!
merry christmas!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
MERRY CHRISTMAS, Sophia! Your cousin’s so cute, just like you! Hehe… Wow, I’m so amazed by all your pictures of snow. I like snow. Oh, and don’t worry about your flood of photos. I love photos, especially yours! =P Guess what? I just baked muffins!! The last time I baked was way before Ed, more than 10 years ago! It was nice! I’m starting to like baking again. Hehe…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Merry Christmas Sophia!
I hope your day was blessed with joy, laughter, family and good food. Stay warm up there in NoVa
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
YOU are beautiful girl!! Gosh, love the pics. Happy Happy Holidays to you – and, hey, (in reference to my post), there ain’t nothing wrong with the Grinch!! Even his heart changes
.
Oh God that CAKE – if you seen my blog – you’ll see how much I adore coffee cake and get a cinnamon caramel filled cupcakes of them – i seriously eat the whole pack in a weekend…or 1 or 2 days…:(
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Wow, look at that snow in DC! I love that city! Merry Christmas to you! I just baked chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal/pumpkin/raisin/cranberry cookies
Both came out DELICIOUS! More to be had after lasagna dinner 
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
bahahaha I guess we had the same idea didn’t we? I beg to differ miss Sophia, cause my granola was pretty spanking.
I will have to try your recipe out though!
I always wonder why people use veg oil/shortening, and I understand how it can affect texture and whatnot, but you CANNOT beat the butter flavor. so good. that cake looks holy good.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
this post really makes me want to go into DC more often… someday! its just sooooo freakishly cold outside!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Merry Christmas! Much joy and sweetness to you and your family!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Whoa, are you doing ice-skating moves on the tree there?
You are flexible!!
What a fun time you guys had. Wishing you and your family a very joyous holiday!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Your cousin is so cute! And your brother looks like he’s posing for J.Crew, lol. ^^ And you look amazing as always. Loved living your sight seeing vicariously through you. It’s been a while since I’ve been to DC.
Merry Christmas sweets!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Merry Christmas, oh no, should be Happy Boxing Day. Sophia darling! Wish you another fruitful new year!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hehe I love all of your expressions! lol! And you look like you all had a ball (nice pink hat!). Merry, Merry Christmas Sophia!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
oh that granola looks so good!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I hope you had an excellent Christmas Sophia!
I love the abundance of pictures of you. It makes up for the severe lack of pics when you first started the blog
.
Your baking looks so delicious! I love the sound of that apple cinnamon cake. And isn’t writing cards exhausting!! It takes FOREVER.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Merry (belated) Christmas!!! You and your cousin look so cute
And the granola looks awesome—thanks for the recipe recommendation!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I love your little pink hat you always wear! We call it a “toque” in Canada.
Merry Christmas to you! It looks like we got the same chilly weather (minus the snow for us).
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hahah, I laughed at your post title. What great photos, though! Looks like DC is pretty cold and snowy, too!
And you are super flexible! What an amazing photo of you with your leg in a cheerleader stretch.
Send a piece of that delish looking coffee cake this way?!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
wow girl, you are really flexible! I like the starbucks god pic, the thing looks HUGE! Happy holidays!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
OMG amazing baking you have going on there! any leftovers?!
I love baking and giving food as a gift, it shows you really worked and thought about the gift, not just grabbed something from a store!
i have not had coffee cake in SO long I love when its homemade, tastes so different than store bought…hope you had an amazing xmas!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Sophia!!! I got your package late today – and seriously – HANDS DOWN THE BEST GRANOLA I HAVE EVER HAD!
You were so sweet to think of me!
Glad you are having fun with your family – you should feel very blessed my dear!
Hugs and Merry Christmas!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
mmmm that granola looks so good! glad you had an amazing trip
That snow looks fahhhreezing!
I made a veggie tray for Christmas… my grandma did all of the baking this year.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yay for your new domain!!! I’m trying to figure out my new wordpress template and I’m dazed and confused and am trying to get someone else to do it lol Hopefully it will be soon
You guys crack me up, how fun, but brrr it does look chilly. You’re like a human pretzel girl! That granola and coffee cake look like the bomb. I made my first turkey and it was pretty darn good. Hope you had a wonderful holiday & a nice break from school!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
yay for a new domain woot woot!
I love the layout. DC looks so gorgeous! Ive only been there once in the spring, but i almost wish i could go back now. And i hate the snow so that says a lot. That graonla looks yummy too i really should try to make my own mix soon. Im paying an arm and a leg to get it at the health food store.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
sophiiiiaaaa!
congrats on the new domain! SO AWESOME!
and i have never been to DC, so i thoroughly enjoyed every picture in this post. you and your family are too cute! and i love that you love starbucks, because i do too. there i said it!
i hope you had a marvelous holiday (got your LOVELY xmas card – thank you!), and just enjoyed time with your family. after the holidays, would you mind giving me a lesson in flexibility? just wondering…
mwah!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I am happy to be in the category of “special people!!”
The granola IS amazing!!! Thank you so much! And my family loves the zesty nuts!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I love alllllll the pictures! You look amazing and your prima is too cute
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
loving ye new site!!
and love the pics!! hehe!! happy new year!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You are so cute! Looks like you had a lovely time with your family. The pics are beautiful
And wow, I’ve never made granola before but you’ve inspired me with how amazing yours looks!
Hope you had a good weekend.
Hannah xo
http://determinedtoshine.wordpress.com/
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Merry Christmas Sophia!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Those zesty nuts sound so great!! Adorable pics of you and your family!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’m glad you’re having such a great time with your fam! Love all the pictures and the nuts look fabulous! Great new site
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
one time i got diarrhea attack while riding on a long bus trip, it really sucks’~,
Like or Dislike:
0 
0