I started to write here that this is one of my very favorite Mah Jongg sets but then I had to stop myself because every one of my sets is a favorite. How lucky am I to be able to say something like that?! I must admit that this 1-Bam just knocks me out – I love it so much!
Yesterday was our weekly game day and it was X’s turn to host. We all are big fans of Fresh Direct – X ordered in their fabulous Southwest Chicken Salad, which she doctored up to make it ever better. On the side was Fresh Direct’s delicious cornbread. Dessert was fresh strawberries and blueberries with Fresh Direct’s new gluten free brownies and blondies – and they are really good! Of course, our Mah Jongg games would be nothing without the requisite big bowl of black licorice!
First we played with a vintage bone and bamboo set – absolutely magnificent – and we were especially careful not to drop any of the tiles on the carpet as X’s wonderful dog loves anything made of BONE! Duh!!
The other day I posted an SOS to find Mah Jongg teachers around the country (or perhaps, from around the world!) and recently I heard from Jenny Gordon who owns and runs the wonderful website, MadAboutMahJongg.com. Here’s what Jenny had to say:
Not only do I have a new Mah Jongg store but I teach Mah Jongg in Wausau, Wisconsin….we are a very small town but boy, do we play Mah Jongg. When the temperatures drop you’ll find a game going at any one of a number of coffee shops in town. And it all started a few years ago when a transplant from Saint Louis was in search of a Mahj group here and couldn’t find one. She recruited a few of us who had heard of the game but never played it and the rest is history….
So, if you are lucky enough to live in the Wausau area, not only do we have a great teacher and a shop to supply all your Mah Jongg needs, but you now have access to games (and coffee!) going on all around the town. Who could ask for more?!
Yesterday was my turn to host our weekly Mah Jongg game. Even though it was freezing outside, everyone showed up. I had a great time preparing our cold weather lunch; pictures and recipes will be posted later.
We started out our day by playing with the wonderful Pung Chow set given to me by X for Christmas. This set had never been used before and it was an honor and a delight for us to be the first to play with it. Here are the representative tiles from this incredible set:
What beautiful carvings! And don’t you just love the panda Jokers?! Continue reading
Madame Mahj has done it again! How cute are these MIniature Wrap-Ups?!! The package contains 30 different vintage Mah Jongg tile designs plus a glue stick. All you have to do is provide the mini-chocolate bars (I used Hershey’s Assorted Miniatures), glide the glue stick across the edge, wrap the tile design tightly around the chocolate bar, and press the glued edge down lightly. As Madame Mahj explains, the wrapper designs are inspired by vintage Cardinal, Crisloid, Eastern, ES Lowe, Gimbles, Macy’s, Met, Pung Chow, Rottgames, Royal Games, and Ten Flowers Mah Jongg sets. Continue reading
It’s been a while since we were all together because the holidays really “interfered” with our game play…K was in Michigan and then off to Paris, J was in Florida, S was in Sag Harbor, X was up North…it was just impossible to find a date when we could all play Mahj. Now S is leaving for California and will be gone for a month so we decided to have two games this week – a Monday send-off game at K’s for S and then our regular game day of Wednesday. Because several OM’s had to leave early today, we started the day off at 9:30 am! K greeted us with a fabulous breakfast – Greek yogurt, blueberries, bananas, raisins and nuts.
Of course, there was coffee and tea.
And then we grabbed our plates and cups and took it all to the table as we said, “Let the games begin!”
K started out the day with a hand she thought could be an Atomic winner. Sadly, that didn’t work out for her although it looked good at first.
S also considered going Atomic but changed her mind just as we began to play. She also didn’t wind up with a good result.
As soon as the Charleston was over, my tiles made the decision for me as to what direction I should take.
As you can see by the few tiles out on the table, it wasn’t long before my hand was really shaping up.
A few rounds later it was my turn to push my wall out and at the same time it was also my turn to pick a tile. Much to my surprise – and everyone else’s – it was a Joker and I was able to declare Mah Jongg! Wow, that was fast!
Now it was X’s turn to surprise everyone – as the Charleston ended she declared herself Atomic and added that she only needed one tile!
We were all holding our breath because we couldn’t possibly know which tile she needed and as the game went on you could feel the tension growing! Even X was getting nervous!! There were lots of Winds already exposed and so J felt safe throwing out an East…and that was it – X declared an Atomic Mah Jongg! Hurrah!!
Um…this picture doesn’t have any real Mah Jongg meaning – I just wanted to show off my new bracelet I received from P as an early birthday present!
Meanwhile, K was in the kitchen preparing a delicious lunch: egg salad, smoked salmon, and dill sandwiches on thick and wonderful dark bread along with a big bowl of Israeli cous cous filled with lots of yummy ingredients such as olives, peas, scallions, etc.
And because K, J, and I are all from Michigan, K always has a special treat for us: Vernor’s Ginger Ale!
And now I’ve saved the best picture for last…it’s Roxie, K’s fabulous dog!
We’ll all be together again on Wednesday (sans S and Roxie!) for our regular game day and this time I will be hosting…
Mah Jongg and Me 