bamboo shoots!

this year i have decided to document the amazing speed at which bamboo grows. last spring i saw a bamboo tree grow to 15' tall within a week. you have a pretty small window of opportunity to harvest the shoots, so timing is critical. this year, i plan to let a majority of the shoots grow into their full size so i can have some privacy from my neighbor, Marge. bamboo is actually a grass and there are many varieties - from black to purple and all kinds of sizes. i don't know the specific variety we have growing here, but they make for tasty grilling! my mom marinates these young bamboo shoots korean-style, with lots of red pepper paste (kochujang). right now is just about the perfect time to harvest, before they get more than about a foot high, but taller than 6". you just knock them over with your foot. there is rain in the forecast so i am betting that by this time next week, we'll have a lush bamboo forest. i think i will post a recipe for bamboo shoots - as a separate post.

for now, i wish to update on the status of bibi, our precious little furball. bibi had a follow-up appointment yesterday and the doc says she is doing good. although, she does lick her boo-boos too much. her is our beautiful little girl. doesn't she look happy? look at that grin! she has definitely been a lot happier dog, and spoiled rotten, too. sleeps in bed with us every night, curled up next to me with her blocky head on my pillow. she's one tough little cookie, though.

so yeah, so far we are relieved.

and even moto is looking better. he likes the new porch and most of all, he likes B. she stroked him so good the other day he drooled all over her lap. i think moto's in love.

oh, and my kinoki pads arrived!! that was actually faster than i though it would. if you have never heard of kinoki, they are "detoxifying" pads that you attach to the bottom of your feet while you sleep. it's supposed to draw out toxins through your body and out of your feet. i saw it on an infomercial. it's my guilty pleasure. every once in a while, i'll actually buy something i see advertised on tv just to see if it's really that great. (i know they are largely scams) so far i've gotten the miracle blade knife set, a couple of magic bullets, an aromatherapy showerhead, press-on accent lighting, and now these pads. i think they were about $24. i have yet to try them out, but i'll keep you posted.

oh, and it came with a free eye patch thing - it's korean! i probably could have bought this at the flea market on buford hwy....