Have you all had a great time on St. Valentine’s Day?

I know I was late! Though the special day has been passing, I still wish you all had very good time, had great chocolate and have received wonderful gifts from your beloveds.

Yes, I am back to France, another home of mine! It was terribly cold when I arrived in CDG airport. During the first week, I made the cocooning and watched Japanese TV series at home. :D

Before going back to Taipei for the Chinese New Year, I spent two days in Hong Kong and met several miniaturists I admired.

It was great fun to meet Lulu (Lulu’s Miniatures) who was back from Australia for the vacation with her family; we went shopping and tried different HK dim sums together. She made a very cute mushroom gift box for me as the CNY present. :o) After separating with her, I took the metro and met another friend Una.

Thanks to Una, I had the opportunity to meet Maggie Chan (WK Maggie's Miniatures), a very famous tutor and miniaturist in Hong Kong. It was stunning to see so many beautiful works in her atelier. Maggie was a very friendly and nice lady; she showed me several precious pieces of her friends and also gave me many gifts. (I was spoiled again) I was very lucky to see the works of Tony Lai (tototon model world) glancing in the spotlight. That evening, Una’s husband invited us for dinner; we had a lot of seafood at Lei Yue Mun! :)

I was also very happy to meet Amy (Amy’s Miniatures) and Cheily (Petit deCherries) the next morning.  We went yum cha before I left for the airport. It was a short but very interesting visit!!

I was busy for the workshops which were held in Taipei between 12^th and 15^th Jan. I was pleased to meet so many girls and ladies during the four days.  The eldest lady who joined the workshop was a professor of one famous university and the youngest girl was a primary school student. As an instructor, I taught how to make the miniatures in the classroom but I have leant how to be a good teacher in return.  I did appreciate this valuable experience. I also have to say thank-you to all my friends and students!

Just several days before coming back to France, I was honored to have the contact from Miniatures Museum of Taiwan. I expect for the next! :)

New Year Resolution

It’s obliged to make a NYR in the beginning of the year.
Mine for 2012 is go to bed before midnight every day and spend more time in the house and the yard.

Looking back to 2011, it was a bio and organic year for me: I started sculpturing miniature market food and I did love the theme; when I worked on these mini veggies and fruits, I felt joyful and closer to the nature. Many ‘first time’ happened in 2011: the first time going to Miniatura Birmingham, the first show magically held in Arnhem and the first time visiting in Italy. I was excited and enjoyed a lot last year!

I am still thinking of the goal, the target and a theme for this year but before that, I will take a break and leave for to Asia in January.

I will spend more time and celebrate the Chinese New Year with my parents, the sisters, the brother and all the family; of course the hubby and some old friends will be there too.

I sincerely wish you a happy, healthy and fruity year in 2012.
More ideas and more creativities in both the real life and the miniature world.
Remember 5 vegetables and fruits per day and keep smiling every day! :)

Wishing you a sliver Merry Christmas

((((Hello my dear friends))))

The wonderful vacation is coming…
I sincerely wish you sound, happiness and lots of good fortune in the coming 2012
Have great time and good food with all the family
and… may all your wishes come true!!! :-)

Peiwen xxxxx



Little Gingerbread Houses

Obviously I did not work on sweets and pastries for a long time because I set up the goal and focus on making market fresh food in 2011.

Just several days ago I attempted to make a ginger house for the Christmas; I found it difficult to re-approach the sense perception I wanted.

In the end I got two kawaii candy houses.

It’s said colors reflect the mood and the personality.

 I hope it’s true and I’d love to be a pleasant person with sweet temper as always! LOL

Hope the little ginger houses make you simle too! :)

Eating is believing -4 days in Italy

It was a tight but very pleasant trip in Italy. Since the hubby had three meetings in three different cities, I went visiting when he worked in customers’ places. After the job was finished, he called and gave me the instruction, trying to meet in a place and continued the next trip. Within 4.5 days, we drove almost 2000 km, between Nimes and Roma area.

Genova was the first city I visited in Italy. Before the depature, Maria has mailed me a list of Italian food and suggested me to try. I appreciated too Rosanna spent some time with me at midday. She knew I was eager to taste some local food and she was thoughtful bringing me to an Italian friggitoria.

Sa Pésta
Via dei Gius­tini­ani, 16r
16123 Genoa
+39 010 2468336

Thanks to Rosanna, I knew a lot of traditional food in one time. I have known ‘pesto’ before but this was the first time I tasted the homemade sauce with ‘gnocchi’! It was absolutely fresh and authentic (also very rich)!!

The different salty pan cakes and rice cakes were too very delicious (very special)! I would never know the unforgettable flavors if I haven’t try it!!! Très très bon!!!

I stayed longer in Florence than in Genova and Roma; I had enough time visiting, taking pictures and shopping. It was pity I did not find a good restaurant which offered local dish but I tried vegetable soup and pasta with very spicy red sauce for lunch. I was very happy too!! :)

*Specialty of Florence: Pan Pescatore
I bought a pan pescatore after taking a picture in the shop because I was curious how come the little thing (not look romantic at all) could be the specialty of Florence. I don't look for the receipt yet but it was mixed with very strong flavors of butter and fruits; I swear I will buy more once I go to Florence next time. 5 stars!!!

Around 20h30, we arrived in the hotel in Aprilia, a little city not far from Roma. The customers invited us to another town ‘Ariccia’ for dinner.  

It was a little rustic restaurant but with very good business; we saw many local people there; I tried almost everything in the restaurant, I loved so much the sausages which kept the original flavors and taste. It was an unforgettable table experience too!

Osteria da angelo
http://www.osteriadaangelo.it/

*The specialty of Ariccia: La Porchetta (salted roast pork, a cold dish)--> soooooooo tasty!!!!

What I want to specially point out is the pasta.  It looked so normal without anything special inside but after I tasted, I knew the secret (very fat smoked bacon) of the homemade pasta that no one could resist!

When I wondered if I stayed in Aprilia instead of going to Roma by train on Friday, the hubby tried to convince and told me “Roma was the central part of Europe. You should go and see the city of Cesar!” 

I was totally conquered when seeing the grand monuments in front of me.

It was a beautiful memory thought I had only three hours walking in Roma.
But I know I will be back again someday not only for the sightseeing but also for the inspirational Italian food! :)