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Your Good Fortune? A Meaty Baylife Magazine

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Kim Franke-Folstadt

Published: January 15, 2009

With two Chinese restaurants within a wonton's throw of our house, I never need an excuse to order takeout.

Making Chinese food myself, though, that's another matter.

But Steamy Kitchen columnist Jaden Hair makes cooking sound so cool — not to mention mouth-watering — I'm inspired to try some of her recipes (Page 12) in celebration of the Year of the Ox. (Her "tea eggs" sound manageable. The egg rolls, well, we'll see.)

Legend has it (or the Internet has it, anyway) that at the new year, Chinese villagers used the color red, firecrackers and food offerings, among other things, to keep a terrible beast called Nian from devouring their homes. The hungry beasts at my house are used to fending for themselves, thank you very much; still, I think they'll appreciate the effort if I place some stir-fried shrimp in front of them.

Talk about appreciating the effort, we were all smiles here when we heard about Mary and Ernest Sieder, who offer up a bit of beauty all year round outside their Tampa home. The mother and son share roses from their awesome garden with passers-by … in vases … for free! (Page xx).

I do like the idea of giving people something that is meant simply to make their day. Today, for us, it may very well be the Mr. HandyPerson column (Page xx). It might not do much for you if you need help with plugged plumbing or haywire wiring, but it will make you smile.

And as the Chinese proverb points out: If one's mouth always wears a smile, one will always feel young.

Kim Franke-Folstad Baylife editor

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