Sunday, November 11, 2007

Hawaiian Chicken Recipes

So here we are in a part of the world that people call paradise. Views and vistas everywhere. The speed limit reflects the 'hang loose' attitude of this state. By that I mean that even on the highways the speed limit is 45 mph, that's not to say that people go 45, they usually go much, much...slower. But that is because, even in paradise, traffic is an issue.

This is the view of Hanalei bay from our condo.



The boys hiked the Napali coast, 8 miles of hard hiking for unbelievable views and scenes.




I'll post more photos later, the internet connection here absolutely sucks.
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Finally, what is up with the chickens here. There are chickens everywhere, at the airport, in town, around the condos, even along the side of the road. When I saw the chickens at the side of the road I thought we'd finally get to answer the age old question of just why the chicken crosses the road. Alas, we witnessed why that question may never be answered...

Aloha!

Thursday, November 01, 2007

The family that cooks together...

When you open the door for 'Trick or Treaters' don't you expect the 'Tricksters' to be shorter than you. I mean, I know I'm short but even I expect them to be shorter than me. How old is too old to Trick or Treat? I mean, in your head aren't Trick or Treaters short kids in cute costumes?

Last night a 'gang' of about 10 teenagers knocked on my door (well, they actually pounded repeatedly - I answered the door with 911 keyed into the phone and my finger on the send button.) and in unison said 'Trick or Treat'. I looked in the vicinity of their knee caps for their younger siblings, but no, it was just them. I gave them two candy bars each and sent them on their way grumbling. (I was giving out mini chocolate bars, it would have taken 4 bars to make one regular sized bar.) Well, excuse me if my little chocolate tokens didn't fill up their PILLOWCASES!

Kids today!

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“Well, I’ve been watching the squirrels and they’re burying low this year, so you know what that means?”

The cashier is talking to the woman in front of me, who is, annoyingly enough, writing a check.

“Well, I’ve never heard that one.” Says the check writer, pausing, her pen hanging completely motionless over her check which she has so far only managed to date.

“Oh, yes, see if they hide their nuts (all sorts of quippy comments come to mind but I behave) higher up then it’s going to be a very cold and snowy winter, down low means it’ll be mild.”

I groan inwardly, Toto, I think we’re back in Kansas, ok, Illinois, but you see my point.

“Well, I always heard that about Wooly Bear caterpillars and their stripes." (Is there such a thing as a Wooly Bear caterpillar?) Says the check writer staring down at her check as if she’s forgotten what to do next. “See, if their stripes are thick then it’s going to be a long winter, and short if they’re thin…or the other way around…or is it the number of stripes?...Oh, I forget, but I think it’s in the farmer’s almanac.” She finishes lamely, while signing her name (at last) with a flourish.

I’m aging; I feel my bones becoming brittle as I turn 90 standing in this line.

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I was back in Illinois to visit with Jess. I was there for three weeks and thouroughly enjoyed my fall 'fix'. We went to the apple orchard and the leaves were turning and the weather was cold (after the first week, which was still summer.) I had a great time and miss everyone already.

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The infamous cooking class. The best way to bring family together is to make them all cook together. There were 12 of us, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives and cousins. We made up about 1/2 the class. It was really fun, more fun that I expected, but then they did serve wine.

Movie is courtesy of my brother-in-law Rich. Thanks Rich.