My new Tomato Clownfish

I have a new fish for my Biocube!  Its a Tomato Clownfish - Amphiprion frenatus.  

I have been wanting a Tomato Clownfish for a while after seeing a very pretty mature specimen at a local fish store.  I didn't get one because I had the Potter's Angelfish that was the main display fish for that tank and I was afraid these two would be crowded.  Now that my poor Potter's has passed away I could finally get a new a Tomato Clown.  He is doing very well and has taken up to this Bubbletip Anemone overnight. 

Bye Bye Harry the Potter's Angelfish

Today is a sad day; my Potter's Angelfish has passed away.  When I came to feed him this morning he was hiding still under a rock, which is very unusual because he is always constantly moving.  I moved the rock away and he was still breathing but seemed very disoriented.  I couldn't find any injuries or ailments and the water quality of my tank is fine.  I can only assume that he has died of old age.  We have had him for 4 years and I've read that the average lifespan of wild Potter's Angels is only 6.  He was one of my favorite fish I've ever had.  I will miss you Harry...

Potter's Angelfish - Centropyge potteri

I never got a good photo of him.  He was always on the move.

Martha Stewart Domed Cake Stands

The Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's has a new collection of domed cake stands and cake plates.  This collection has some old-fashion charm; made in ceramic whiteware and clear glass.  Some are adorned with a small bird for the handle (they match the Song Meadow Figural Bird Collection). There are 8 different styles; some are glass, ceramic, or both.  Unlike other cake stands/plates from the Martha Stewart Collection each of these cake stands/plates comes in its own special box.  

Here is the display at my local Macy's.  

Some have faux desserts, fruits, and cheeses to match the display picture.

The coconut cake looks really good and realistic!

Bird dome with cupcake cake stand with a pretty faux strawberry tart and behind, a fluted cake stand with glass dome has a pomegranate and grapes.  Im amazed by the faux strawberry tart.  It looks delicious!

I bought this glass bell jar dome with ceramic stand - this is the picture of the box.  Tink put his Swarovski Crystal Paradise Seahorse that he got for Valentine's Day inside and it looks magical.

The other side of the box has a picture of the rest of the collection of cake stands and plates.

Buying a cake stand that comes with a dome is a practical thing to do.  Whenever you have food like desserts it is wise to keep it covered so it will stay fresh longer.  It also adds to the presentation of the item by making it look protected and preserved.  The glass domes can be made useful in other parts of the house by displaying things like: keepsakes, delicate holiday decor, or small figurines.  In my house I would probably put coral, shells, or another nature inspired display.

Mango Soy Snow - Royal Tea Cafe

I recently posted about a Soy Thai Tea I got from Royal Tea Cafe and wanted to share another really good drink I've found.  It is the Mango Snow which I get with soy milk instead of non-dairy creamer.  It is perfection - my new favorite drink!  It has lots of mango flavor (as it has real mango fruit) and the soy milk gives it a really nice smooth taste that goes really well with mango.  

My mango snow with soy.  I really need to try the mango jellies with this. 

(Their mango jellies are made with carrageenan so it is vegan :D )

Here is a pic of Royal Tea Cafe.

It is located inside Northwest Mall in the foodcourt. They also have a large variety of beverages and Vietnamese food and snacks.  When I eat here I usually eat the veggie banh mi with avocado and sweet potato fries.  To see more pictures you can visit their Facebook page:  Royal Tea Cafe

A Few New Native Seedlings

Last month I planted some native plant seeds of wildflowers that I would like more of in my garden.  They have been doing pretty well with the warm wet weather.  I planted them in pots and put them in a shady screened in area on my back patio.  

Gulf Coast Penstemon - Penstemon tenuis, are some tiny seedlings.  I only haver one small clump of this plant but hopefully it will take up a semi-shady area in my front garden planted with a few clumps of Gulf Muhly Grass - Muhlenbergia capillaris.  

Wild Foxglove - Penstemon cobaea, only a few of these seedlings came up.  

Maybe they need a little more sun.

Pitcher or Blue Sage - Salvia azurea, this plant is really easy to grow from seed.

Last year the seedlings I planted did really well and gave a really nice fall display.  I like the geometric pattern the leaves the plant makes and of course the very pretty cool blue flowers during the blazing late summer and fall heat!  I think I might need to plant more of these still...

Vegan Curry Chicken

I have a craving for Vegan Curry Chicken from Quan Yin restaurant...

Thinking about the crunchiness of this chicken and the curry flavor makes my mouth water.

What's blooming Feb. 2012

Hello!  I haven't posted about my garden plants for a while.  Last years record drought was stressful on many of the plants but many of my natives did okay.  Here in Houston we've had a pretty warm winter so far with some good rainy days.  I have left some of my orchids out almost all winter except on a few below 40 degree F nights.  Some of the flowers in the garden have been blooming throughout winter.

Texas Onion - Allium sp.

Coreopsis lanceolata - Lanceleaf Tickseed, has had a few blooms this winter.

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii - Turk's Cap

Scarlet Sage - Salvia coccinea, last year these froze back

 to the ground and grew back from the roots and seeds.

Rivina humilis - Pidgeonberry 

Some non-natives that were planted by past home owners of the house.

Cyclamen - we have one of these by our front door that blooms every year. 

Soon it will be covered by the Blue Mistflower.

Paperwhites - Narcissus papyraceus, these usually bloom 

in late January to mid-Feburary.

Soy Thai Tea

I've been craving a thai tea for a while and luckily I found a place that will make it with soy milk!

Refreshing thai tea made with soy milk from

Royal Tea Cafe in Northwest Mall - Houston, TX.