Laura – indeed, very frustrating :( The fish was great!

Rosa – definitely looking forward to getting past the recovery stage :) Kaweah sends wags.

Anna – you’re very sweet. Thanks a lot for the well wishes!

Susan – thank you, my dear friend. Well, my parents’ visit was planned to fall well after my treatments were done. We weren’t planning on having them out during my recovery :)

Mark – I think Kaweah just thinks “dang – why won’t she get me a treat?” My family loves spicy too, but my dad’s idea of spicy is a little extreme – even for Chinese!! I saw “Best in Show” the other day and didn’t hurt myself while laughing my brains out :)

Peabody – goshy. I wonder how much more our medical lives will parallel one another? What else do I need to check off? How about you?? :) I’d rather we just parallel our cooking lives instead ;)

Manisha – my dad says the tree ears and mustard greens aren’t critical, but they are easy for you to get since you’re down on the flats. Have you been to Pacific Ocean Market in Broomfield? (off 120)? You can read about tree ears here: http://userealbutter.com/2008/02/05/being-chinese-being-me-long-post/ and the preserved mustard greens are with the canned vegetable section or found in small aluminum pouches shown as shredded preserved vegetable. I know – it’s quite vague… Oh, here’s a link that shows the mustard green: http://userealbutter.com/2008/05/05/cool-it-with-tofu/

Psychgrad – awww, thanks :)

Tony – ha ha, Ithaca hasn’t got anything on us – we’re up 8500 feet! I love tofu yu too!

Anita – thanks! Puppy is definitely a good way to feel better.

Lisa – getting there… slowly :)

Anita – thank you, dear! I just wish I could stomach more of the awesome food my parents made :)

Jackie – missed you guys too!

Kitt – that’s certainly one way to get better.

Astrid – thanks :)

Clumbsycookie – you’re so sweet!

Kristina – me too ;)

Marija – thank you.

Joyce – awww, thanks hon. Good to hear from you!

Kat – thanks!

Sally – I speak with my folks in both Chinese and English. Jeremy understands some Chinese and knows basic phrases like thank you, how are you, etc.

Bridget – tell me about it! I’m hoping this is the last for a looooong time. Thanks!

Mollie – powder is not far off, m’dear. I’m already thinking about getting my skis tuned ;) K has resumed snuggle duty and snoring duty and “shoving her people off the bed” duty!

Mia – that’s very sweet of you – thanks!

Fiona – yup, so true about the nurses :)

Bri – yes, hoping!!! thanks!

Louise – it’s a balance between trying to get better and trying not to overdo it. Arrrrrrrrg!

Mrs. E – thanks dear. Didn’t mean to worry you (you are a worrier!). xxoo

Collette – hee hee.

Andrea – thanks!

Elizabeth – how I wish! Tell that to the bod. At least the appendix will not be the source of further problems :) Good riddance.

Aran – so sweet of you. Thank you!!

Susan – thanks for your comment. Very sweet of you!

Bee – oh, we’re all just crazy hyper people :) xxoo

Magicfish – that spicy is entirely my dad’s doing. He is crazy about spicy! :)

Holly – mine think the whole blogging thing an amusing mystery. They don’t actively blog with me, but they like that I want to document the food. So you’re not alone there ;)

Sono – ha ha, thanks!

Deborah – Oh, I feel for your daughter. Surgery blows. At least it doesn’t hurt like hell to sit up anymore!

Maybelles Mom – Oh doggies! Good thing my dog didn’t topple me or I’d have been sent straight back to the hospital. My Kaweah likes to sniff your pants and lick your pant legs. Go figure.

Lori – thanks!

Reeni – tree ears are a fungus that grows on trees. It’s a common ingredient in Chinese cooking much like the black mushrooms. You can find them dried in Asian grocery stores and sometimes fresh in the bigger and better Asian grocery stores. I love them!

Cynthia – I know, those abs are used to do EVERYTHING. I couldn’t even roll over in bed for several days. Thanks!

Susan – thanks so much. I’m still working my way back to a normal appetite. Haven’t been able to digest or consume even half of normal.

Joanne – thanks!

Linda – I already feel like making stuff, but just need a little more endurance to get through it!

Veron – hee hee :)

Patricia – thanks :)

Susan – oh, I am *definitely* ready for the snow… well – give me a few more weeks so I can get into shape for tele season! heeeeeeeee!

Rose – thanks! Kaweah isn’t big on kisses as she is on treats ;)

Tartelette – my word, you were so lucky! I can’t figure out how I had abdominal pain for so long (and twice before too) and no one figured it out?! oh well, at least we have pups :) Instead of sending cool weather, why don’t you bring yourself over here? We’ll have fun ;)

Francesco – thanks :)

Graeme – ha ha! Oh yeah, the fish. We’ll get you converted yet, my dear!

Melissa – thanks, that’s really nice of you. Glad you found your way over here. T&D are awesome!

Gabi – thank you. It makes a big difference to have people who care :)

Irene – ha ha, your grandma sounds like a riot!

Lisa – yup, just not blogging much.

Margie – not yet – this is taking quite some time.

Sally – thanks, that’s really sweet of you.