Backyard Firelight Dinner

Song:  Beautiful Freedom

Group:  Bruton Music

It was a nice night to eat dinner outside in my mother's backyard.

I started a small fire in the fire pit...

and I turned on the waterfall...

both of which had added a nice touch to the backyard dinner.

The view of the mountain is usually crystal clear...

however, there are some forest fires in California right now...

and the smoke from them filters in to Reno at times.

I had merely baked these baby back BBQ ribs for a short period of time...

and we were all set for dinner.

This was our view of the fire pit and the waterfall.

I had installed a photoelectric operated outdoor lighting system...

and a remote control on the waterfall so my mother could enjoy her waterfall 

whenever she wishes.

After we finished dinner...

my mother had given Hana some leftovers from the ribs.

Hana waited patiently until we were done...

and she then retired inside to the sofa.

My mother and I had savored the meal and relaxed on the outdoor dinning setup

until it got dark.

We watched the stars for a bit...

and we then cleaned up.

I then put on a Korean Drama for my mother...

and I went home for the night.

As the weather is nice almost every night...

we will often drink coffee...

or eat noodles, outdoors...

 while we take in the ambiance under the stars 

and with full view, and in earshot, of the relaxing sound

 of the tumbling water of the waterfall.

Korean BBQ / A New Korean Drama

A song from Secret Garden

(this song was actually used as the main theme in a Korean Drama).

I took my mother out to the same Korean BBQ that I had taken my family to...

just a couple of days prior.

My mother and I are very similar in many ways.

We both have high metabolic rates...

and so, we both love to eat...

and we both love watching Korean dramas.

These were just the beginning dishes.

We had many...many more.

My mother had eaten two bowls of the absolutely delicious seafood and tofu soup...

and she had four bowls of rice...

along with many helpings of Bulgogi and shrimp.

Even at 77 yrs of age...

my mother can almost eat as much as I can.

She has always eaten a lot of food.

IIJI 4 is a new restaurant just a few miles from home.

It is a great Korean BBQ place that has all you can eat goodness for under $20.00 at lunch.

We ate until we both waddled out.

I took my mother to her home...

and we just relaxed for hours as we watched many episodes of Korean dramas...

while sipping on a large cup of Vietnamese style coffee.

Hana (my mother's dog) always enjoys relaxing with us on the sofa.

She loves lying her head on a pillow and looking at the TV as we watch it.

My mother and I also have the same thoughts towards animals.

They are not just 'pets'...

they are family.

No things are more pure of heart

than children and animals...

and no animals are more pure of heart than dogs.

We watched the last episodes of the Korean drama...

'The Master's Sun'

(it was a very good drama with a very good ending...

it is a must see).

We then started watching another drama...

'My Love From Another Star'.

Although I have already seen both of these dramas...

I have seen many dramas more than once.

They offer such a great emotional ride...

I just have to revisit them every few years.

If you have never seen a Korean Drama...

look at my previous article for a list of must sees.

Good Food + Korean Dramas = Good Times

Music from 'The Master's Sun' - Korean Drama

The other day...

I took my mother out to eat at a mountain cafe.

The food was okay...

but we are used to better.

At least Hana (her dog) will have a lot of good food.

My mother took back the majority of her meal to her.

Going home.

After our meal...

we started a Korean Drama on Hulu Plus.

They always have many Korean Dramas.

My mother and I love these dramas.

So many are filled with great acting...

a very good story line...

beautiful scenery and music.

I can watch a good drama many times, over and over.

However, only some are that good.

I highly recommend the following Korean Dramas to start with:

Autumn In My Heart (sad)

Winter Sonata (bitter sweet)

Spring Waltz (great ending)

Summer Scent (great ending)

Vineyard Man (romantic comedy)

Coffee Prince (romantic comedy)

The Master's Sun (romantic comedy)

My Love From Another Star (romantic comedy)

There are so many more excellent ones...

but I say to start out with one of these.

Each drama is cut into approximately one hour episodes...

and are usually anywhere from 16 - 24 episodes in length.

Each one is subtitled.

Korean Dramas are the best in the world.

They are loved throughout Asia.

If you have never seen one before...

I recommend you start out with a light hearted romantic comedy.

After going out to eat...

or, most usually...

after I make supper...

we will then sit on the sofa...

and watch at least one episode of a drama.

Right now...

we are watching the Korean Drama "The Master's Sun'.

Although this is the third time I have seen it...

I still enjoy it tremendously.

This particular drama is a romantic comedy.

Both of the main characters are very funny.

It is their characters which make this drama so light hearted and sweet.

Last night...

I made Bulgogi for supper.

I had bought 1 kilo of thinly sliced beef.

The meat cooks quickly.

We then had a great time eating as much Bulgogi as we wished...

all fresh and hot...and delicious

(I cooked one batch at a time...

and we ate each batch fresh and hot).

After our meal...

we then settled in for an episode of 'The Master's Sun'.

Just for the sake of this photo did I leave on some lights.

We usually turn off all the lights when we watch the TV...

so as to give it the theater effect  :)

As you can see from the expression on my mother's face...

she gets so happy when we start watching a good Korean Drama.

For those who have seen Korean Dramas...

you already know what I am talking about.

For those of whom have not...

you are in for a great treat.

My mother and I have actually seen a whole drama before...

in two sittings (12 and 13 hour sittings).

They are highly addictive...

but are worth it.

I recommend seeing them in one to two episodes a night at a time.

Hulu regularly rotates the Korean Dramas in its menu...

and they generally carry 120, or so, dramas at a time.

So...

if you are looking for many nights of good times...

I highly recommend...

some good food + a good Korean drama.