Little Lady Turned 2!

Is it totally indecent that she isn't wearing any clothes?  I can't help it!  The thermometer reading in our house is averaging in the eighties for the last 5 months.  And we don't have A/C.  

Week in Review

I know food really isn't much of a BIG event...wait a second.  Yes it IS!  Making dinner seems to be a special occasion lately (it's too hot to cook!) so I'm adding it to my week review anyway.  

Cheese-Its and Omi

Happy random Tuesday!  I thought I'd post something food-ish.  It's been awhile.  I made Cheese-Its!  Another Pinterest find.  (I think the original site for the recipe is on FrugalGirls or something like that).

Happy 100!

I just saw that this will be my 100th blog post.  To celebrate I've decided to post about food.  Because I like food.  A lot.  

Easter Weekend

Our weird Easter family picture...it's the best we could manage in a hurry

What a gorgeous weekend to have Easter!  Lady Chan LOVES the sunshine soooo much!!! (Not that you could tell from her glowing hue).

We didn't do much Friday.  In fact, I can't even remember Friday even happening.  Mostly trying to recover from a long and tiring week.  'The Man' had a lot of work things going on and Lady Chan was dealing with a cranky sick kid.  (He has two more molars coming in so maybe that had something to do with it).

So!  The Kid' (and us) were rested up.  Saturday came around and we're ready for life.  It was warm enough for us to purchase a kiddie pool/thingy for 'The Kid'.  Sometimes this parenting thing can be so fun!!!

 I always forget how great Easter is until it arrives.  Everything is green and fresh and the roses!  Lady Chan loves roses.  I even have a sort-of soft spot for the ugly ceramic easter dishes the MB brings out.  And let's not forget chocolate bunnies and mini eggs from See's...Not that much of that has ANYTHING to do with the true reason for Easter.  But, it's a nice bonus.

What's Easter without an outfit?  

And for the crowning moment....Chocolate Mousse!  Yes, I actually made an effort in the kitchen Sunday.  Even with the MB's saying how hard it was to make, blah blah blah.  But I did it AND it was good.  So put that in your book!

Actually the recipe was super easy.  I got it here.  I doubled the recipe since the serving is for two.  (Who makes a serving of chocolate mousse just for two?!)

Aloha!

Yes.  We went to Hawaii!  We celebrated our TWO YEAR anniversary.

'The Man' and I were discussing our options for how we wanted to celebrate and for some reason the both of us had Hawaii on the brain.  So we went.  Random!

So here's how it all went down:


We stayed at the Turtle Bay Resort.  I was surprised by how awesome our view was.  Then noticed that every hotel room has a great room.  Obviously they planned it that way.  It was a great plan.  Waking up to beautiful views and the sound of the ocean?  Priceless.

Disclaimer: We used an old point-and-shoot and our phone camera's.  Not the greatest quality.  Spellings probably off too, sorry.

There's a father-son pair in the water here.  The son is surfing on his own.  He looked to be about 5 or 6 years old.  He is officially really cool.  

The first thing we did after getting off the plane (and getting a rental car) was drive down to Lae'i for some grub.  Apparently Giovanni's is the place to be.  Long line, but good grub.  And they use A LOT of garlic.  I was tasting that one for days.

Giovanni's specialty: Shrimp Scampi

I tried the garlic hot dog (background).  It was big.

These next three are taken at Lae'i Point.  There's some story about the five little islands out there.  Apparently the islands are the five pieces of some giant lizards head that some warrior chopped off.  For some reason or other.  That's about all I can remember of the story.  Not very impressive I know.  Google it.

We visited Kualoa Ranch on our last full day on the island.  That was fun.  We took the 'Movie Set Locations' tour.  On a bus.  Off-road.  It was a little scary.  But we made it out okay.  

The wheels on the bus go round and round...

'China Man's Hat'  It's got a Hawaiian name too but every body just calls it that. 

This is the log that the two kids hide behind in the movie Jurassic Park.  It's seen better days.  But I love that show!

Another view of the log

Where the cast 'played golf' on the show LOST.  Man I love that show!!!

The submarine used in LOST.  Apparently this isn't the one Locke blew up.  Phew. 

Outside one of the bunkers that is featured in an episode of LOST.  Kate vs. Juliet...epic.

The list of movies that have been filmed here goes on and on.  I'll spare you.  These were just a few highlights.

Two gorilla's kissing.  I think there's a view of it in the movie 'George of the Jungle'.  Can you see it?

I think the second day on the island we went to Waimea Valley Falls.  (And according to my brother is the only botanical garden that you actually have to pay to get into, which he thought was ridiculous).  But we didn't know that.  And we still probably would've gone.  A very pretty walk/hike.  Not quite a mile.  And then the falls.  It looked VERY familiar.  Later we found out it's Kate and Sawyers Falls.  Well, not really.  But that's what I'm calling it.  In the LOST episodes this is where Kate and Sawyer find the Halliburton case.  You have to watch it!

I totally smoked Evangeline Lily in this shot.  Hands down!

I really wasn't in the shutter-bug mood while on vacation.  And I have this tourist-complex.  I feel really self-concious about taking pictures/having my picture taken.  Especially as a tourist.  So we don't have pictures of everything/everywhere we did/went.  Lucky you!

We went to the Hukilou Cafe.  I had some seriously large blueberry pancakes that weren't bad.  I guess this place was made famous because of the movie 50 First Dates, though nothing from the interior was looking all that familiar.  Oh well.  It's the experience that counts.  

We went to the Polynesian Cultural Center.  I'm SO SO glad we opted for the shorter day trip.  By the time we got to Tonga I was pretty much done.  It was a lot of fun.  I know the jokes have been going around there for years, but hey, they were new to me!  So I thought it was pretty great.  And that place was huge!

The day of departure we had some time to kill and I was told we HAD to go to Hilo Hatti's.  So we went.  It was pretty much like seeing all the other gift shops we've been in...only bigger.  I don't really get into gift shops.  We found a car for 'The Kid'.  'The Man' bought a map of Oahu when we went to Kualoa Ranch so he was set.  I found some earrings and some chocolate for 'The Parentals'.

He likes it.

  

We did some swimming.  (And snorkeling).  I was surprised the water was as cold as it was.  I have this weird notion that when you go to a tropical island the water will be warm.  I'm such a wimp.  But it was really great to relax on the beach some.  Swim some.  And eat some.  'The Man' did all the driving.  He's so good to me.  I think he's done driving for awhile.  

All in all, not a bad way to spend an anniversary.  We've decided though that next time we visit the island we're taking the kids.  It seems like a great place for families to vacation.    

Mid-week Randomness

I should be glad that there isn't much to report.  Though I wouldn't mind giving a shout-out if I made a couple million over the weekend.

Anywho.

Update on the chickens:  we are now harvesting about 5 eggs a day.  And one buxom lass gifted us with...

A double yolker!  I know!  It's the little things that make life worth living.  

And since we have such a plethora of eggs, we've revisited the popular Egg McMuffin.  Except we don't call it that.  Just the Egg Muffin.  Because it's WAY better than the Golden Arches.  We also topped today's Egg Muffin off with a hot cup of cocoa (with whipped cream).  And a bit of locally grown oranges.  (From the backyard, mmm).  

Be jealous

As 'The Man' was walking out the door I saw this.  It looked so cool.  The picture doesn't really do it justice but it was this sunny/misty/fog scene.  I guess you just had to be there.

'The Kid' update:

He can now open just about everything.  It started with the front door.  Took me awhile to figure out how he got out to the front yard.  (Hey!  Who left the door open?!).  Until we saw him do it a few days later.  Sneaky.

He can also open the bathroom door.  And play with the toilet water.

And open pen caps.

The door to the stereo.

But not the fridge or the chicken coop.  But it's comin'.  

'The Kid' and I are leaving home for a week.  We'll miss Daddy TONS!  But Lady Chan is excited to visit with her sisters (well, other family too I guess).  Not excited about the snow.  Or the 12 hour car trip.  Ah well.

And for a teaser....

March.  I'm excited to tell you something that's happening in March.

That is all.

Best!

Valentine's Day Re-Cap

I've embraced my inner sappy.  I still hate romantic-comedy movies.  But that's beside the point.

Valentine's Day this year was lovely and all of a sudden I can't remember what we did last year.  At all.  I'm guessing since 'The Kid' was two months old we didn't do much.  Even 'The Man' can't remember, and that dude remembers EVERYTHING.

Wow, getting back to the point.  THIS year 'The Man' and I went to dinner.  Very original and adventurous.  Really a departure.

We started out at Sheila's Wine Bar.  They have excellent food.  I mean, EXCELLENT.  I'm not talking about, 'oh this is really the only decent place in town' type excellent.  I'm talking about, I've never found anything remotely close to as good as this place.  Anywhere.  I may not remember much, but I tell you what I'm still dreaming about their Arugula Soup.  That I had LAST year.

Sadly they had a special menu for Valentine's that included the hefty charge of $49.95 per plate AND wine.  Tempting!  And I was so looking forward to eating there.  

So we drove to Brendan's Irish Pub.  (Must've had booze on the brain).  We heard good things.  From my parents.  Which really isn't saying a whole lot since the previous tenants of that venue was Sizzler and my Dad LOVED it.  Hm.  Anyway, we tried.  But Meat and Potatoes I'm a little over.

We then drove to Peking Inn.  This place has been in town FOR-EV-ER.  And nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like Chinese food.  I couldn't find a link, but what I could find was this.

So 'The Man' and I exchanged our Valentine's Day cards in the card.  (I was too embarrassed to bring them into the restaurant).

After we got home 'The Man' and I exchanged some more Valentine's Day goodness.  Here's the pictures.

Cookies!  The MB actually beat me to it this year.  But we all got one.  

Something different.  I think I'm the only one who's been eating them so far.  They're loss is my gain.

The Cards.  'The Kid' even got one.  I'm such a bad Mom.  I didn't make him one.  Next year...I promise!

'The Man' and I had Martinelli's and Strawberries in bed while we watched the Adjustment Bureau.  (And stuff). We are the World's Most Boring Couple.  But you know what?  It was a perfect night.  Cheers!


Tootles!

Lantern Festival

So, for Christmas the Chan Clan gifted family members with Chinese lanterns (direct from Malaysia), some red packets, or Ang Pao, and a children's book about the Lantern Festival story.

For some odd reason the MB was determined we would celebrate this year.  So long as my husband and I cooked.  Hm, thanks Ma!  Actually it ended up being a 3 person job because the MB was also adamant that we have dumplings, and I wasn't planning on making them.  (The book also included a recipe for dumplings, as part of the the festival's tradition).

So I gave her a corner to work in...all by herself.  :)

The menu:

• Asian Lettuce Wraps
• Wanton soup
• Fried Rice
• Dumplings
• Brownies and raspberries

The meal was a success.  Aside from the dumpling incident.  I'll explain.

The dumplings called for things like Sticky Rice Flour, Sweet Sesame Seed Paste (for the filling), and black sesame powder.  None of which is found at the local grocery store.  

The Asian market in town is small and sadly lacking.  And a lot of the things on the shelves have been there since I think before the cold war.  For example, the 'sweet sesame seed paste'.  The MB had to dig the contents out of the bottle with a stick and mix it for awhile so as to resemble a 'paste'.  All I can say is that it resembled something coming from 'the south end of a northbound kangaroo'.  With the runs.  The MB tried to get 'The Man' to taste it.  Then me.  We both 'politely' declined.  After trying it herself she excused herself so that she could wash her mouth out.  I then advised her to make a bean paste, after much discussion.  Oy.  

I did, however, kindly (and may I say bravely) try her first experimental dumpling.  Either they are very much an acquired taste or there was something wrong them.  I like to think there was something wrong with them.  She made 18 of them.  I think everyone tried at least one.  My Dad got through two.  But I think he was trying for some bonus husband points.  

The Wanton soup was excellent.  (Did I mention I made it?)  :)  One small change next time.  Add the snap peas at the VERY last.  And put the uncooked wantons on wax paper and not a ceramic plate.  They stick.  That said, it was very yummy.

Chicken Lettuce wraps also very good.  'The Man' helped with the chicken.  I hate cutting/cooking chicken.        

Lychee Nuts!  Mmm.  They were blissfully cool and sweet.  And a nice break from all the heavy, hot foods.  'The Man' made his specialty fried rice.  Always good.

I just didn't have it in me to make a Chinese dessert.  So I opted for the easy, American version.  I heard no complaints.  

All in all a successful evening.  And we managed to impress our dinner guests as well.  (Thank you J-Family for coming!)  The MB told us about the Lantern Festival story and 'The Man' talked about some traditions that he and his family practiced.

Our dinner place settings.  (Grandma Chan gave the napkin/chopstick set to us awhile back).

The MB gave out Ang Pao!  Yay!  We explained the red packet tradition to our friends.  They love the idea.  Who wouldn't?!

 Lanterns!  These came from Malaysia the last time we were there.  (Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Chan!)  I got some battery operated tea lights.  You can't see them glow in this picture but, it was fun I promise.

It was an exhausting night of cooking but I'm glad we did it.  It was fun to eat all the yummy food, talk about traditions from a different part of the world, and be with good friends.  

To learn more about the Lantern Festival, go here.  

Tootles!

It's What's for Dinner

Last night 'The Man' made dinner.  I didn't even have to ask!  He gets mega-husband bonus points.

He even got creative.  Which is always an adventure.


My guess here is some kind of home-made tempura mixture involving eggs (?), garlic, salt and flour.  I never got around to asking him what was in it.  Perhaps it's better that way.

He scored an A+ for this one.  (Sorry babe, the 'tuna melts' you did the other day...something just wasn't right).  But, I'm pretty sure if I had attempted...oh wait.  I have.  Once I tried making my own fried tempura bananas. (Not knowing what in the world tempura was). 

Fail.

Scary fail.  

Anywho.  Along with the string bean awesomeness, was 'The Man's' specialty.  Ramen with caramelized onions, broccoli and scallions.  What's that you say?  Ramen?  Yes!  

Normally I save Ramen for things like camping.  Or college.  But with this I've since changed my mind. It's super good.  Or maybe it just tastes so good because I just am so excited I didn't have to cook.  

For dessert?  See's.  Ohh.....


Tootles!