Clam Chowder - 9/30/2008

Today is my birthday.

I asked Wendell to make clam chowder. It's REALLY ono.

He uses Ranch Dressing Seasoning mix.

I was kinda in the way, so I didn't take too many pictures.

Koko Crater Botanical Garden - 9/30/2008

Today is the last day of my one-week vacation. I picked up Wendell from the airport at about 5 a.m, cleaned house a little and while Wendell took a nap I went to the Koko Crater Botanical Garden for a couple of hours to do my favorite thing - take pictures. I always imagined it would be a dry and colorless place, but luckily I was wrong.

Our Handy Shrub - 9/30/2008

We have a shrub in our front yard that is so handy. Landon uses it as a table to put his water bottles on and Wendell thinks it's so valuable in providing shade for a rusty can and an old battery that he has a cone blocking it so no one will accidentally run into it.

Waikiki Aquarium Revisited - 9/29/2008

I looked at my old posts and realized that the last time I was at the aquarium was about a year ago. With my vacation time winding down I thought I would return to see how my picture-taking skills have improved since then. I think they got worse. I struggled. So, not too many pictures. These are the only keepers.

Cake Couture Cupcakes in Aina Haina Shopping Center

I'd been hearing a lot about Cake Couture lately so I decided to drop by on the way home today. I'm not really a cupcake eater 'cause I'm not into frosting. I usually scrape the stuff off before I eat the cake, but since they were kind enough to allow me to take pictures, I bought a 6-pack.
So far, I tried a bit of the chocolate (lower left) and a bit of the red velvet (lower right). They were DELICIOUS. . . even the frosting, and not that the frosting wasn't sweet, because it was. But it was whipped, kinda light and really ono. All the cupcakes in this box were $2.50 each.

Schmink-A-Dink

My girlfriend, Mona, is a very talented artist who has begun doing face painting. Please check out her website Schmink-A-Dink to see samples of her work.

Microwave Mochi Making 101 - 9/28/2008

About a month ago Brandee shared half of a mochi with me. Co-worker Jason's mother-in-law had made it and instead of the usual an filling inside, it had peanuts and coconut. I loved it so much I went online to see if I could find a recipe so that I could make it myself. I found this recipe for microwave mochi called Nor Mai Chi and it looked simple enough. It wasn't simple. It was hard, hard, hard. Or to be more exact . . . it was hot, hot, hot. It's ono, though - chewy, how I like it.

After all my effort, I thought I'd better get at least one good shot of my best piece, so here it is.

Here's my pile of mochi. All the ugly pieces are hidden underneath.If anyone wants to try to make it themselves, here are the instructions , and I have an extra box of mochiko, a can of coconut milk and some leftover filling you can have.

You mix together 3 c. mochiko, 1 can coconut milk, 1/2 c. water (I added 1/4 c. more 'cause it seemed too thick) and 1/2 c. sugar. Put in a microwave safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 9 minutes.
I couldn't find a recipe for the filling so I just mixed some crushed peanuts, coconut flakes and a spoonful of sugar together.

After the microwave goes "ping" you let the dough rest for about 5 minutes. Then you pour it out onto your Silpat (and if you don't have one, go get one right now 'cause it's the best nonstick surface ever invented - Longs sometimes has it on sale for $15) and roll into a log. Now, this is the hard part 'cause it's sooo hot and you gotta work fast and you try take pictures at the same time.

Ignoring the second-degree burns on your hands and fingers, you put the filling into the middle and then you pinch the ends together.
Until finally you end up with this mess. Looks like I should've put less filling in some of them.
Like I said earlier let me know if you want my extra ingredients.

My Own Steel Cut Oatmeal - 9/28/2008

Four posts ago I wrote about Nathan Lau's blog on steel cut oatmeal and how I normally hate oatmeal. Yesterday, I did go to Whole Foods for the first time and I picked up a bag of steel cut oats ($4). I also had to pick up the golden raisins, the almonds and the buttermilk (which I bought at Foodland 'cause it's cheaper there).It takes a good 40 minutes to make so you can't just whip it up. But . . . it's worth it. Honestly, the oatmeal itself is still tasteless to me, but I love the texture. It's not mushy or pasty, and when you add cinnamon, brown sugar and the other good stuff it's quite enjoyable. Plus, it kept me full for awhile (which is pretty amazing). Thanks Nathan!

The Pastele Shop

Pomai did an awesome review on The Pastele Shop in his Tasty Island blog. My favorite plate there is the No. 2 - Pastele, Gandule Rice and Bacalau Salad.One item not sampled on that day by Pomai or his friends is the Matuda which is kinda like a Pastele stew to me. It's my son's favorite but is certainly not for the health conscious as it is a bit oily. It's so ono though, so maybe if you have it with the Bacalau salad you won't feel as guilty.

Pork Ribs - 9/26/2008

Back in the days when Landon used to play baseball, this was my favorite main dish pot luck thing to make. It's wonderful for a non-cook like me 'cause it's soooo easy and soooo ono. Pork ribs (a good-sized tray) (for the Costco-sized tray you should double the recipe)

1 c. shoyu
1 c. ketchup
1 c. sugar
about 6 cloves smashed garlic (you put your knife blade on a clove and go BAM)

Boil the ribs for about 1 to 1-1/2 hours (I did it once for 2 hours thinking the longer the more fall-off-the-bone, but it came out dry). Marinate in the shoyu/ketchup/sugar/garlic mixture for a few hours or overnight or whatever. You can either broil or hibachi.

Here's the brush we use to clean the grill. Time for a new one or what?

Here's our chimney thingy . . . kinda bust-up too, but my husband is part Chinese.

Don't you just hate it when you're all done hibachi-ing, but your fire is finally at its best? So, I rummaged through our freezer and busted out these pupu pups to throw on the grill.And here's Kona watching me cry 'cause of all the smoke in my eyes.

KCC's Cactus Garden - 9/26/2008

I took a quick detour on my way home yesterday and visited Kapiolani Community College's cactus garden. I was curious to see how the overcasting clouds might affect the lighting on the cacti . . . cactuses . . . all the pokey plants.

Steel Cut Oatmeal

I hate oatmeal. I've tried all kinds of ways to like it 'cause it's so good for you, but have never been able to acquire a taste for it. Below is a picture I stole from Nathan Lau's blog, House of Annie. Doesn't it look good? He says it's made from steel cut oatmeal which has a better texture than regular rolled oatmeal. Maybe it's not as mushy. He says you can find it at Whole Foods Market, which we have here now in Kahala Mall. Here's a Food Network recipe.

Graffiti Mural by 808 Urban and Estria

I walked to the bank the other day (I needed money for some musubi) and on my way back I saw this beautiful mural done by 808 Urban and graffiti artist Estria Miyashiro. It's on the side of a building not normally visible to the passing traffic.

The building houses Hata Restaurant which is across the street from the Zippy's that's next to Washington Middle School.

Here are details from the mural.

My Favorite Iced Tea

This is my favorite iced tea. It comes in several flavors - original, mint, peach, and my favorite lemonade tea. It kinda tastes like sweet southern tea. It's a bit expensive though, about $1.80 at Longs.

If you get it, you also have to buy this nifty craftsman gadget from Sears 'cause it's impossible to unscrew the cap without it.
I promise, this is what I gotta do to get the cap off.

Mapo Tofu - 9/26/2008

Wendell's on a trip, so I actually cooked tonight's dinner. When I told my mom that I needed to go to the market 'cause I needed an onion, she said, "YOU'RE COOKING?" Do you notice something about my mapo tofu? Do you see any onions? I FORGOT TO PUT IN THE ONION!! What a babooze!! Anyway, the recipe that follows doesn't include eggplant, but I threw it in 'cause I like eggplant.
1 1/2 pound ground pork
2 cloves minced garlic
1 ROUND ONION
6 T. oyster sauce (1/3 cup)
3 t. shoyu
1/2 t. salt
1 t. sesame oil
1 t. Yeo chili sauce
1 block firm tofu

I don't really have instructions. You kinda sautee the garlic, pork and ONION. Then throw in the other stuff, tofu last.

My Electric Bill - 9/25/2008

AIYAIYAI!!!!

Lunch at Tenkaippin Ramen - 9/25/2008

My mom and I had lunch at Tenkaippin Ramen today. I loooove being on vacation.

We both had the miso ramen and they kindly made hers a little less salty. It was her first time there. She said "the noodles are the best" and she liked it that they cut up the meat into small pieces.
I've been told that the garlic paste condiment (lower left hand corner) is da bomb. I haven't tried it yet 'cause too much garlic majorly gives me the gas (don't tell 'kay).

Sock Monster Making 101

A few months ago superdad Joel introduced me to the world of sock monsters and I've been hooked ever since. I wrote about it briefly here. Now, I shall attempt to teach you how to turn a baby sock into a sock monster.

First, cut the sock as shown. Turn the sock inside out and stitch the ears.

Then stitch one foot. Leave the other one open so that you can stuff through it.Turn the sock right side out and stuff through the open leg.

After stuffing, stitch the foot closed.

Then position the needle like so, so that your needle ends up under the middle of the bottom lip.

Place a stitch at the center bottom of the lip.

Then stitch through the lips to the top.

Then back down.

Up Down and up again, pulling the thread tight to pucker the lips.
He should look like this now.

Now it's time to sew on the eyes. Now we need to work on the arms. Turn the arms inside out to stitch. Then turn it right side out and stuff just a little.
I then kinda tuck the raw edges inward 'cause it makes it easier to sew on.
Stitch the arms on and . . .
voila!

Here's what's left of my sock monster family. I always try to keep some on hand to give away as birthday gifts to my co-workers. You can find buttons, stuffing and socks at WalMart. A lot of these socks were just $1 per pair (cheap, yeah).

Honolulu Zoo - 9/24/2008

I'm off for a week and I had a few hours to spare this morning so I went to the zoo. I got there at 9:00 which is when they open. I shot this flamingo through some bushes.

The elephant exhibit was being hosed down so the elephants were behind bars.

The gibbons were really howling up a storm. I wonder if they're always like that in the morning. I had not seen the orangutans in their new exhibit yet so I was really disappointed when I saw this sign. I looked to the right and saw nothing.
So I shot some ants instead.
I usually don't go into the reptile house, but I thought that the lighting might be challenging and it was. This is a mangrove monitor lizard.

And this is a star tortoise.This peacock had a hurt leg and was limping. That's how I was able to get such a close up shot. This is my favorite exhibit, the African Aviary. It's a cage you can enter and the birds fly around you. Me and Susie can spend hours in there.

This guy is called a Serval and he's in the aviary. He's usually hiding somewhere, and I don't usually get any pictures of him.Here are the animals in the Savanna.
Zebra butt. I got more pictures of him, but I thought this angle was the most interesting.
I couldn't believe it when the rhino decided to get a drink right in front of me.
Here's a pokey-pine. I can't remember the last time I saw the tiger at the zoo, and there he was sleeping right in front of me.He woke up, gave me this profile pose and then walked away into some banana trees.

When I first got to the lion exhibit, this old guy was sleeping. People came, waited and went. I was about to leave too when an airplane flew by and woke him up!

He then slowly heaved his aged body up and went to a rock to scratch his head.

I couldn't see the cheetah at all in this exhibit, but I waited and waited thinking that the way my luck was going, he'd surely appear. Just as I turned to leave . . .

I see him and I panic. I have the wrong lens on my camera! I quickly change lenses,

and snap these just in time.
Hoooooo da exciting!!

Sean's Yakudoshi Party - 9/20/2008

Sean Okamoto, my husband's friend, had his Yakudoshi celebration at the Natsunoya Tea House yesterday.

Here's Da Birthday Boy

With Grandpa

And Da Bruddas

Da Goalpost

Da Salmon - this was sooo ono. It was prepared kinda like miso butterfish. Da Same Smile
Da Dress-Up

Sean's school buddy talked about Sean's search for the meaning of life . . . and finding it.

Hamburger Steak 9/19/2008

Dinner tonight was hamburger steak. It was ono. . . moist and tasty. Wendell made gravy too, but I didn't want to cover up the hamburger for the picture. Anyway, the hamburger was so good I ate it without the gravy (less calories). The potatoes were made with Yukon Gold potatoes drizzled with oil and then sprinkled with Lipton Onion Soup Mix and baked. The hamburger recipe is below and came from the What Hawaii Likes to Eat cookbook.

1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of black pepper

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Form into 4 - 6 patties. Pan fry in hot oil until brown on both sides or of desired doneness.

My Son and His Pals

Landon is in the middle in black. Augie T. was the MC at this reception and called this table the Shaolin Monk Table.

Korean Shave Ice

Elim is in the Sam Sung Plaza on Keeaumoku and is actually called "Elim Bakery and Juice" although I've never seen any baked goods nor juice there. They serve Korean food and is our favorite spot for Korean shave ice ($5). The toppings cover finely shaved ice with some condensed milk in it. Veeery refreshing.

Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation's Jungle Adventure - 9/7/2008

The Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation (HCCF) is the only organization in the State of Hawaii dedicated exclusively to providing services to children with cancer and their families. HCCF’s Jungle Adventure was held at the Honolulu Zoo this past Sunday. I had a really great time and want to thank Erick, Susie and Geof for coming to help me take pictures, and I especially want to extend a GREAT BIG MAHALO to Mona and Alexis for their nonstop, no-break awesome facepainting job.

Duck Story

A friend e-mailed this story to me and I thought it was an awesome example of human kindness. If you look closely there are actually ten ducklings!:

Something really cute happened in downtown San Antonio this week. Michael R. is now an accounting clerk at Frost Bank and works downtown in a second story office building. Several weeks ago, he watched a mother duck choose the concrete awning outside his window as the unlikely place to build a nest above the sidewalk. The mallard laid nine eggs in a nest in the corner of the planter that is perched over 10 feet in the air. She dutifully kept the eggs warm for weeks, and Monday afternoon all of her nine ducklings hatched.

Michael worried all night how the momma duck was going to get those babies safely off their perch in a busy, downtown, urban environment to take to water, which typically happens in the first 48 hours of a duck hatching. Tuesday morning, Michael watched the mother duck encourage her babies to the edge of the perch with the intent to show them how to jump off!
The mother flew down below and started quacking to her babies above. In his disbelief Michael watched as the first fuzzy newborn toddled to the edge and astonishingly leapt into thin air, crashing onto the cement below. Michael couldn't stand to watch this risky effort. He dashed out of his office and ran down the stairs the sidewalk where the first obedient duckling was stuporing near its mother from the near fatal fall.
As the second one took the plunge, Michael jumped forward and caught it with his bare hands before it hit the concrete. Safe and sound, he set it by the momma and the other stunned sibling, still recovering from its painful leap.
One by one the babies continued to jump. Each time Michael hid under the awning just to reach out in the nick of time as the duckling made its free fall. The downtown sidewalk came to a standstill. Time after time, Michael was able to catch the remaining 7 and set them by their approving mother.

At this point Michael realized the duck family had only made part of its dangerous journey. They had 2 full blocks to walk across traffic, crosswalks, curbs, and pedestrians to get to the closest open water, the San Antonio River . The onlooking office secretaries and several San Antonio police officers joined in. They brought an empty copy paper box to collect the babies. They carefully corralled them, with the mother's approval, and loaded them in the container. Michael held the box low enough for the mom to see her brood. He then slowly navigated through the downtown streets toward the San Antonio River . The mother waddled behind and kept her babies in sight.

As they reached the river, the mother took over and passed him, jumping into the river and quacking loudly. At the water's edge, he tipped th e box and helped shepherd the babies toward the water and to their mother after their adventurous ride.

All nine darling ducklings safely made it into the water and paddled up snugly to momma. Michael said the mom swam in circles, looking back toward the beaming bank bookkeeper, and proudly quacking.

Dead Sea Beauty Product

I usually give a wide berth when passing by kiosks in the malls, but Liran from Israel (in center of photo) caught me by surprise when he said, "Can I ask you a question?" I should have bolted then, but he continued by asking, "Have you ever heard of the Dead Sea?" That immediately caught my attention, because co-worker Julie long ago gave me the best hand lotion I have ever used, and it was a Dead Sea product. Anyway, Liran proved to be the most charming man I have ever met (he had the sexiest accent and he kept calling me "darling" while he stroked my inner arm while applying different samples of the product).

Needless to say I bought two items, a facial peel and a moisturizer.
As it turns out, I just looooove the peel. It smells really nice and is not abrasive at all. You apply to a clean, dry face and massage it in. You can actually feel your dry skin start to exfoliate (either that or the lotion is coagulating). You then rinse it off.

After that I apply a little bit of the moisturizer. Just this little dab is rich enough to moisturize your whole face.

Then your face will feel like you're two years old again. You can read more about the product here.

Tofu Soup

My husband, Wendell, is a great cook and this is one of my favorite dishes that he makes. He says it's easy to make.

2 c. stock or water

1. 1/4 lb. ground pork
   1/4 lb. won bok
   1/4 lb. tofu
   1 oz. (28g) dried bean threads, softened in cold water
   10 canned straw mushrooms
2. 1 T. fish sauce
   1/4 T. thin soy sauce
3. 1/2 T. chopped green onion
   pepper as desired
4. 1/2 t. each: sugar, garlic oil
   cilantro as desired
   
   Bring stock to boil. Add 1 and 2, cook until meat changes color. Add 3 and 4. Serve.

Big News - I Cleaned House Today - 9/1/2008

Here's my spotless, furless floor with long-missing dog toy that emerged in the clean-up.

I'm looking forward to the next Big News: Wendell Sorts Through His Mail.

Mana Bu's in the Star Bulletin - 8/31/2008

A couple of months ago I wrote about my favorite musubi place, Mana Bu's. Nadine Kam just did a write-up on Mana Bu's in her Weekly Eater column in the Star Bulletin and gave them 4 stars each for food, service and value!! They're open on Sundays now and have new store hours: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays).

Photo by Craig Kojima of the Star Bulletin