Super Bowl Party-The 49ers Loss was a Disappointment, Indeed!

The 24-seat Cinema was almost full, the libation flowing freely and hostess Karen K was an excellent host. We either had barbecued chicken wings or hot dogs box dinner with chips and avocado dips as appetizer that were delicious. It is one of the most exciting Super Bowl game I have ever watched. The 49er's lost a thrilling and nail-biting game after an overtime. We were disappointed and heartbroken, but we had a fun time enjoying the action in the big screen.  The only problem in the Cinema is, if you need a bathroom break, you have to walk back to the lobby and may missed some part of the Game. There is no bathroom in the Cinema.  

Here are some photos, I took before, during and after the Game in my Apartment TV and the THD Cinema. Again may I emphasize that the Cinema has no bathroom facilities but the seats are super comfortable. Some seats have recliners which is conducive to snoozing or napping  specially if you have already imbibed several glasses of wine or beer. 

Brock Purdy in my TV in my Apartment before the Game.

Me with my 49er Outfit- T-shirt and Winter Jacket- I brought my 49er blanket also. 

Marsha Kefer, Dean Elias, Gween Corbett and Linda Moschell and Host Karen Kopp. 

Pat Brown, Jane Mowry and Cosette Mitchell  

Sara Rowe, Andi Shafer, Jay Pollack and Patty Healy( holding Ed Hoffman hand). I am seating next to Ed.

My Box Dinner of Barbecued Chicken Wings with Potato Salad and A Football Cookie for Dessert 

Martha Rodriguez in her 49er Outfit complete with the Cap and Shoes

Meanwhile here's the write-up of the Game from espn.com

"Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are still in their Super Bowl Champions era.

With a relentless defense and opportune plays by their star quarterback -- including a handful of gutsy overtime scrambles -- the Chiefs won their third Super Bowl in five years in a 25-22 overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers in only the second overtime in Super Bowl history.

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After posting a losing record in December, the Chiefs embraced an underdog, villain mentality throughout the postseason, upsetting three teams en route to their second consecutive Super Bowl, becoming the ninth team to repeat as Super Bowl champions and first since the 2004 New England Patriots.

Led by their captains, most of the Chiefs arrived to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday in all black, signaling a steely resolve to upset Brock Purdy and the NFC's best offensive ensemble.

The Chiefs trailed by double digits in the first half and turned the ball over twice, prompting All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce to body check his head coach in frustration.

But Mahomes, who's trailed by double digits in all four Super Bowls, stayed calm and rallied his team with the help of a heads-up special teams recovery and a game-changing performance by defensive lineman Chris Jones.

The 49ers had the ball with 2:51 to go in a tied game, but with a signature Steve Spagnuolo blitz on third down late in the fourth quarter to force a 49ers field goal, Mahomes got the ball back with less than two minutes to play in regulation and promptly drove for a Harrison Butker game-tying field goal to send the Super Bowl to only its second-ever overtime. And though the 49ers scored first on a short field goal after a long drive. Mahomes countered with a game-winning touchdown drive that secured another Lombardi Trophy for the Chiefs ".

For details visit the site below:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39480722/49ers-chiefs-live-super-bowl-lviii-updates-moments-highlights

The Art of Fruit Carving and the Chinese New Year

Just this week, I saw a few fruit cravings in my Face Book Page celebrating the Chinese Lunar Year- the Year of the Dragon. Thus I was curious on the history of this ancient art. I did some search and here's what I learned. 

Fruit carving is the art of carving fruit, a very common technique in Europe and Asian countries, and particularly popular in Thailand, China and Japan. There are many fruits that can be used in this process; the most popular one that artists use are watermelons, apples, strawberries, pineapples, and cantaloupes.

History

China

Many believe that fruit carving originated in China during the Tang Dynasty, which lasted from AD 618-906. Fruit carving in China usually features legendary creatures, and animals. Not only is fruit carving used in cultural and traditional ceremonies, but also ordinary households are known for decorating plates with fruit carvings when they have guests over. Specifically, watermelon carving has been and still is very popular in China. Usually, the outside of the melon is carved on and the melon pulp is scraped out of the inside of the melon, so it can be used as a container to put food or flowers in. Chinese fruit carving is used to tell their legends and stories.

Europe

Fruit carving is included in Matthias Giegher's 1621 work Il Trinciante ("The Carver"), where he describes carving oranges and citrons into abstract patterns, shell-fish, four-legged animals and the Habsburgs' double-headed eagle, but the art was not common in Europe or North America until the 1980s when several books on the topic were published.

Thailand

A platter of Thai fruit carvings

Fruit carving is a significant part of Thai cultural heritage. Watermelon carving dates to the 14th century in Thailand during the Sukhothai dynasty. The annual Loi KrathongFestival occurs each November where people in Thailand float lamps and lanterns down a river to honor water spirits. One legend is that one of the king's maids decorated her lantern with a watermelon carved with flower designs to impress him and that he was so pleased that he encouraged all Thai women to adopt the practice. The king also requested that fruit carving become part of the primary school curriculum. Thailand fruit carving features flowers, birds and floral patterns.

Japan

The Japanese emphasize the presentation of a dish and how the plate aesthetically appeals to others. Fruit carving in Japan is referred to as Mukimono. Mukimono began in ancient Japan in an effort to make dishes more appealing since the food was placed and served on an unglazed pottery plate, which had a rough look to it. Chefs would cover the plate in leaves and would fold them into different designs in order to make the dish look better.^[This technique eventually turned into carving fruit that would also be placed on the plates to enhance the appearance of the dish. At first, when this technique came out, vendors on the streets would add carved fruit to their food when customers made a special request, but now it is very common for all Japanese dishes to feature carved fruits. Fruit carving and garnishing is now a significant part of Japanese chef training.

For complete details visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_carving#:~:text=Fruit%20carving%20is%20the%20art,in%20Thailand%2C%20China%20and%20Japan.

And Here's A Related Topic: Food Styling and Presentation

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/03/food-presentation-plating-and-styling.html

Meanwhile, Happy Chinese New Year to All! Gong Hei Fat Choy,  or Xin nian kuai le

From the Washington Post: Over 1 billion people around the globe are celebrating the Lunar New Year, often referred to as Chinese New Year, this weekend. Out with the quick-witted rabbit and in with the auspicious, fiery dragon for 2024.

The festival is a time for family, friends and feasting — often prompting the world’s largest annual migration of people. 

You can wish friends and colleagues a happy new year by saying “gong hei fat choy” in Cantonese or “xin nian kuai le” (pronounced “shin nyen kwai le”) in Mandarin.

Referral Bonus Available to All THD Residents

A while ago, I suggested to THD management, that in order to increase occupancy to the highest level here at THD, a bonus or a gift should be given to any resident that recruits or refer THD. The bonus of $500 ( cash or gift certificate) will be given to the resident after the new resident has moved. 

The other night I talked to Jenny and Raquel Ryan( our new Chief Operation Officer-COO), confirming my suggestion.  So THD residents get moving. Start talking to your friends, relatives and former neighbors of the benefits, activities and excellent amenities of moving to one of the best active senior living community in Walnut Creek. 

For a review of why I recommend THD allow me to repost my blog as follows:

   https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/02/looking-for-independent-living.html

THD has a website and a FaceBook Page also.   https://theheritagedowntown.com/

Meanwhile enjoy these two photos Jenny S took after our Corn Hole Game Last Tuesday. 

Thank You Jenny for the Photos: From Left to Right: Jan Muto. Mary Reiser, Ray Gordon, Glenn Mays, 

Joyce Gonzalves, Me, Jay Pollack, Bob Blattman, Norman Nelson and Arlene Goetze.

For a list of Activities we have Here at THD read: 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/01/ongoing-activities-led-by-residents-and.html

Discover Northern Italy Here at THD Next Month

Last month The THD Travel Adventures Series by Galen was Discovering Japan. This month it will be Northern Italy. The above brochure describes that Northern Italy has a rich and distinct culture. It has 37 of the 59 World Heritage Sites in Italy.  Dramatic and impressive landscape of the Alps and the Adriatic Sea are memorable tourist destinations ( see brochure above). 

During this month Galen will show how Northern Italian Cuisine is Made and we will have a typical Northern Italian Dinner at Newtons possibly in the 3rd week of this Month. Here's the site on the difference between Northern and Southern Italian Cuisine.   

https://ttitalian.com/italian-cuisine/exploring-the-difference-between-southern-northern-italian-cuisine/#

Here's some photos of UNESCO world heritage sites in Northern Italy: 

For complete details visit:

unesco world heritage sites northern italy

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo, I took from the blooms in our Court Yard, the other day.

The Daffodils Are Blooming in the THD Court Yard

The last couple of days of rain and gusty winds created a mess in my patio. But the other day, the sun was shining and the tulips, azalea and other spring plants in the THD courtyard are blooming. Here are some photos, I took the other day on my way to the Library for my afternoon bridge of our newly-formed Tuesday Group coordinated by Jane Williams.   Enjoy!

At Claudia Richards Balcony in the Fairmount Building-my Neighbor

At Sandi Green Balcony in the Fairmount Building - My next door Neighbor

The above photos reminds me of my Orchids and other flowers in my garden at Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2019/04/pleasant-memories-of-my-gardens-at_14.html

Another Hectic Week of Activities Here at THD

This week of February 5 to 11 is another hectic week of Activity here at THD( see photo above). But two events I am looking forward to are the Happy Hour with Aleks ( both listening and dancing music) and the Super Bowl Watch Party on Sunday, Feb 11 at 3:00PM at our Cinema and at the Comet Club . We have a Pool Lottery and I put my $10 bet. Hopefully I win.  Here are photos of the Lottery Pool, and the Super Bowl Watch Party. 

This week we have three excellent movies to watch ( two are Academy nominees and one is a current movie showing at the nearby theaters) as follows; Anatomy of A Fall,  The Holdovers and The Boys in the Boat.  

I am looking forward to our next week Valentine Dinner with Lobster Bisque Soup, Crab Cakes and Grilled Rib Eye in the Menu as follows. 

Meanwhile here's my Spaghetti and Meat Balls Dinner with Garlic Bread the other night that I enjoyed very much. 

Lastly, there are Strength, Stretch and Balance Exercises everyday, and two on Monday and Fridays ( one in morning and one in the afternoon. Of course there is the Zumba on Saturdays.  You will never get bored here at THD.