What to make during my vacation?

UPDATE: What I made on my vacation. Had a bit of technical difficulty with my oven. I spilled over some water that I was boiling for my blackberry jam and it shorted out my control panel so I couldn't set my oven temperature for several days, right before Sunday's get together with my cousin's family. 

I'm doing a stay-cation the rest of my days off. Keeping my parents busy. I thought I'd use the time to make what I've been itching to try.

First thing up was last night's dinner braised lamb shanks. Perfect for a cool day--to warm up my parents. Braised in chicken broth, whole tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery and mushroom. Did a little asian spin, I used mirin instead white wine. It adds a little bit of sweetness. Cooked for 4 hours till meat falls off the bone. Mmmmmmm-I miss cooking and eating like this.

Here's the rest of my list mostly sweets but that's because my mom has a sweet tooth.

-macarons for this coming Sunday's Lunch-broken oven

-blackberry jam for the . . .

-blackberry jam birthday cake-broken oven

-sweet potato doughnuts

-pumpkin pie with roasted kabocha

-apricot jam

-lemon curd-broken oven or these were for the macarons and just didn't want to make it since I didn't have a working oven

-molten chocolate cake-we had this at the graduation dinner-everyone thought it would be good idea have this on the menu-broken oven

And if I have the time . . . I always think I can accomplish more than I have time or energy for. I didn't get to any of these. But will try to get to all of these this summer. Since all of them seems to fit into my new eating ways. Will keep you posted.

-pickles

-kale quiche

-smitten kitchen's carrot soup

-falafel

Here's picture of my braised lamb shanks.

What I did on my early summer vacation--part 3

Waiting for the other birthday girl, Mom, sister and niece 


The birthday party was for my mom and my cousin's daughter, Princess A. Planning was started as soon as everyone arrived. Once the menu was made and off we went food shopping. After running to the farmers market and asian food stores, we were ready for the party.

What I did on my early summer vacation--Part 2

I guess I did a lot because I'm having a hard time to remember. Oh well, here it goes. Once everyone arrive, we focus our attention on two things, my garden and the birthday party.


My Garden

Waiting for plants


Both my parents and brother-in-law have great veggie gardens at home. I thought I'd take advantage of their gardening skills and handiness to get a one in place during their visiting. 

Update on my vacation to-do list

Things that I can cross off the list:

-worked for WG at the restaurant [I also was at restaurant almost everyday--some days were more work than others]

-baked bread pudding, red velvet cupcakes, chocolate mocha cupcakes, and cheesecake

-made shave ice syrup [can't remember what flavors]

-cleaned my house

-went to icp, had lunch with friend and learned the ins and outs of twitter

-made strawberry ice cream for me and WG to have @ home

-got a new tire for my truck

-got my hair cut and colored

-went to the farmers market got so white peaches for us

Things I didn't get to do

-find my upholstery webbing for the tote bag [I hope I didn't throw this out in one my get rid of crap days]

-layout my dress for cutting

-massage

-plant my begonias

-start twittering [though I started this on Monday]

-and the biggest thing--REST!

I was quite tired after this vacation. Too much to do plus the terrible hot weather and several bouts of sinus headaches. I need another week off. 

[PS: The restaurant is on twitter now, @CafeBua. We starting off slow and been positng links to our lunch special. Will post more and come Fall hope to do some twitter-only promotion. If you are in the area or know someone that is. Let them know about our twitter or facebook.]

The rest of my short vacation

I spent in Orangevale CA @ my sister's. Did some shopping (candy and yarn), didn't make to auntie k's because of all day headache. But spent my day with Mira the dog (2nd niece) try to chase this headache away. Tomorrow all day travel day--drive to sf airport from Orangevale then a flight to newark. Back to work, bright and early on Thursday for day of way too long meetings. I hope I survive. Here's picture of Mira looking annoy because I'm taking a picture of her.







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The Marin Headlands Center for the Arts

The wedding I attended yesterday was at The Marin Headlands Center for the Arts. What a beautiful place, secluded amongst the hills of northern CA, wildlife running around. It was an old military facility and it still has all the fixtures and charm. Wish I had more time to go and explore. Worth a visit.


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Trying to take a picture of myself. . .

With my iPhone, in the middle of the redwood forest. I got 4 different versions of me looking confused and unsure if I got a shot. Note to self, close your mouth next time you try this.


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Off to almost Canada

I'm back from almost Canada. Went a short road trip with my sister and niece this past weekend. to move the little one (she's the tallest of the bunch) in to the dorm for her second  year. 


Had beautiful weather driving up. Wish we could have stopped and played tourist but had to leave later than I wanted because I had to sit in on a conference call before I left (really sucked). The weather was okay for the next day till we really left the school to go back to the hotel. Then rain, rain, rain. I'm so glad we didn't have to move her in on Sunday we would have been soaked


The little one did a really good job at packing her stuff (not too heavy) and not having too much crap (like me). I survive with 1 little black and blue on my arm. I think my sister survive pretty well, she already had a bad back and wasn't hobbling when we left so I think overall the 2 old ladies survived.


On our free morning before meeting little one's boyfriend we went off to find a yarn store in a town near by. Yea! for the hotel internet (no cell phone) and GPS to make it possible for us to find Fiber Options in Rensselear Falls. Cute shop nice selection of yarn and 1/2 the store is a quilting. Here's a pic of the yarn a bought. Going to turn it into a hat or cowl for me (but I bet it will end up in WG's collection).

I almost forgot . . .

to tell you about my Hawaii Loa hike. I've been wanting to go on this hike for years. The intrigue of needed someone with a Hawaii driver license to go on this hike has been calling my name. So, I got my cousin E. to take us ( she was on furlough Friday and her knee were good).

Hawaii Loa hike is in a gate community ( million dollar homes with million dollar views), so we needed to fill out a form at the gatehouse, sign away our lives and not veer off the road to look at the fabulous homes. Once we did that, you arrive at a private park (the most immaculate park I've every seen, not a single dead leaf to be found and not a single person to be seen besides the grounds crew).

I was quite happy that the day was overcast and breezy to make the hike up the ridge easier. It started out great--beautiful view of Koko head and the back side diamond head but the skies toward the ridge started to darken.

We continue upward, huffing and puffing take breaks to take pictures when we needed to a break. We past through a grove a trees (guava, I think) then negociated some rope down an incline. And we were still not there.

At some point, WG decide he would run out of energy if he continued so he turn back. Me and E trudged on. Then it started to rain. At first we thought it would pass, but as we got closer to the end we realize, the cloud covered ridge and not seeing the other side of the island, was not worth finishing the hike especially since the last part include more ropes.

Here a few pictures from the hike. Maybe one day I'll get to the top. Too bad I forgot to get a picture of how muddy I got. At least I had a towel to wipe off some it before we went to get some Korean BBQ. Nice!

Photos:
1. View towards Koko head start of the hike. Note the blue skies.
2. Looking up before the rain
3. The ridge during the rain, right before we stopped.










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One more watefall

Went to one more waterfall before going home, Opaeka'a Falls. Right in Kapaa, near our hotel. There was also nice lookout of Wailua river.







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Last day of being a tourist

WG and I were really being the tourist as we stop in Hanapepe and walk over the swinging bridge.




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Poipu

Day 3, Kauai
Southside of the island

Off to sunny southside of the island. Went to see spouting horn. There were 2 sea turtles swimming around the reef. Really big.

Tried to go and see the sea arch. Couldn't find where the parking area and public access was. Ah! Too bad.

I almost forgot that we stop at the park were the Prince Kuhio monument is. Nice little park , no one really there. There was a mango tree with green mangos on it.

Photos:
1. Spouting Horn
2. Where the sea turtle were swimming
3. Green mangos

















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Wailua falls

Day 3, Kauai
Eastside of the island

It's nice and sunny today to go touring around the island. First stop, Wailua Falls.




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Location:Kahuanani St,Waimalu,United States

Kilauea Lighthouse

Day 2, Kauai
Northside of the island
Kilauea lighthouse has tons of seabirds to see. The ranger was so helpful and spent a few minutes telling us about the birds while she closing up the park. There were albatrosses nesting in the trees to left of the lighthouse. On the cliffs to the right of lighthouse were these white birds that nest there (can't remember their name). At first they look like flowers, when you closely see the birds landing there an realize they are birds.

Photos:
1. From the outlook
2. The lighthouse
3. Nene, Hawaiian Goose









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Location:Lihue,United States

Hike to Hanakapiai beach

Day 2, Kauai
Northside of the island
Started off the day hiking to Hanakapiai beach on the Kalalaua trail. This hike has beautiful views of the Na Pali coast. The trail was muddy and slippery but very worth all the mud I had on me.

Photos:
1. Kee beach
2. The trail
3. View of the Na Pali coast
4. My muddy shoes
5. Hanakapiai beach















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Location:Nalu Rd,Puhi-Hanamaulu,United States

Chickens

First day on Kauai, gray and rainy. Decide to head west in hopes of some sun. We went to Waimea Canyon and it cleared up a bit, below Kokee Lodge but anything above that all you could see was clouds and rain.

There's tons of wild chickens on Kauai. They are so beautiful so many different varieties.

Photos:
1. From Waimea Canyon Outlook
2. Potholes on the road to top but nothing see but fog and clouds.
3. One of the chickens @ Kokee Lodge
4. Rooster
















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Location:Aleka Pl,Kapaa,United States

My birthday party

This past Saturday I had a birthday party --not just any old birthday party but my 50th. Although I hate to admit it but yes 50 years old.

This was such a nice party, got to see old friends I hadn't see in years. It was so much fun.

I wasn't able to get that great pictures with my phone. Here's few pictures of of the group. I didn't get picture of karaoke--no singing for me.













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Kaena Point Park Reserve

Spent my birthday morning, hiking to Kaena Point Park Reserve. Great hike to see animals if you are on Oahu around this time of year. We saw 3 Hawaiian monk seals and albatrosses. A pretty flat hike barring the rutted road (4 wheel drive only) to the reserve. The trail runs along the coastline and waves were big.

It was overcast and windy morning with sporadic shower-- which is better than full sun because it would be a very hot hike if it was.

After our hike, we ate our lunch in the car, watching the big surf. Then off Paalaakai bakery for puffies--puff pastry with pastry creme filling. Really good--on the recommendation of my cousins. Little hard to find. It's on your way to (or back) dillingham field, on the main road in tiny strip mall.

Photos:
1. Looking west around the point
2. Light gray spot in the middle of the image is monk seal.
3. Waves coming in













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Mom's beautiful orchid

Blew over in the strong winds yesterday and this stem of flowers broke off. Now we can enjoy it inside.


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Shave Ice yummmmm!

Trying to get in the foods I've missed from Hawaii. Went to Wahiawa to my cousin. Then off to get some shave ice. Mom: strawberry w/ ice cream, mine: vanilla w/ ice cream. Mom can't remember when the last time she had Matsumoto shave ice.

Then we were off to end of the road.


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