Mid-Autumn Full Moon Festival

So last night, after the first home cooked dinner we've had since the kids got here we went to Dad's apartment to observe a Chinese family tradition: sipping tiny cups of Chinese tea and nibbling little pieces of Moon Cakes. I wrote yesterday that I expected something very dry and grainy, but I was very wrong!  It was sweet and just moist enough, chewy and tasty.  My dad, who could live on fruits and nuts and nothing else, loved this stuff, so Lynn left him another still-wrapped Moon Cake for him to enjoy another time. Plus, she has one more to give him when she and Eric leave on Oct. 3rd.

Lynn had given us a delicate tea set while we were in China, so she used it to brew and serve the tea. This was the coolest part:  she sat on a little stool in front of Dad's chair to very carefully explain the importance of this festival and how important it is to share it with family.  She calls him Grampa (which is what Eric calls him).  The Chinese young people, judging by Lynn, still know how to honor their elders.  I never saw Dad so tickled! 

Because it was a beautiful evening, we did all this out on Dad's patio. The pictures aren't so great, but you get the idea.  Typically, Chinese families would serve the tea and Moon Cakes outdoors under the moon, but that wouldn't have meant dragging 5 chairs way down the hall of Dad's bldg. and hauling them out to the parking lot. So we just went out to the parking lot after the tea and cake.  The moon was spectacular. It was so special to all be out there together, with nobody else around.  And we kept reminding ourselves that Lynn's family had just done the same thing, only 12 hours earlier.

Today Harry went in to teach his 11:00 class and the rest of us slept late.  I made the kids an omelet with sweet red bell peppers, some yellow squash, cheddar cheese (Cabot cheese from Vermont) and fresh basil. That may sound like a strange combination, but they loved it.  Of course they enjoyed more fresh peaches and Lynn had her usual mug of tea.  English Breakfast is as good as Irish Breakfast, it seems.

Eric has had to devote much time today to trying to figure out why Lynn can't access the internet on her laptop.  Still having a problem.  Soon they will go into Clemson to poke around in the College Avenue shops and whatever strikes their fancy.  They'll have dinner with Harry, either at home or at a restaurant, because I have a commitment over the dinner hour.  Oh, speaking of dinner, Lynn loved my Moroccan turkey burgers and sweet potato "fries."  Just this afternoon she has discovered the joy of Weight Watchers Ice Cream Sandwiches!  At this rate, this size zero young woman will need a new wardrobe. Welcome to America!