Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Dinner!

I just wanted to share a simple delicious dinner idea that I found on Pintrest.
Honey Garlic Chicken
It's made in the crock pot so have that handy.
Feel free to put your own personal touches to it....that's what I did

Mix together:
2 garlic cloves (chopped up) 
1/2 c soy sauce
1/2 c ketchup
1/2 c hunny
1 tsp basil 
1 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper

Put rinsed cleaned chicken in the crock pot and pour mixture in. 
I cooked mine on low for 3 1/2  hours. I was also worried about it getting dry so after it was fully cooked through, I pulled the chicken apart in smaller pieces so the marinade would soak through.

It's mighty tasty!

Most people have "their" way of cooking rice. I just wanted to put my way out there because its super simple and works great every time. 
I usually make only 1 cup so this recipe is for that:
Rinse 1 cup of rice really really really well. (water runs clear)
 Pour the rice in a bowl and add water till its covered the rice.
Let that sit for 20 min. (I think this helps the rice not stick together)
Fill a pot with 1 1/2 cup of water. (a pot with a tight fitting lid)
Let the water come to a boil
Pour the drained rice into the pot.
Turn down heat to as low as your stove can go and put the lid on.
It is very important that you do NOT lift the lid for 10 min.
Turn off the stove and let sit for another 5 min (on the same burner)
Fluff the rice and add your salt, pepper and butter if that's your taste.

An just because 
Roasted Asparagus and Broccoli: (or whatever you want to use)
Rinse veggies
Spread them out on a baking sheet
Coat with olive oil
Sprinkle evenly with 
salt & pepper
garlic powder
onion powder
Bake for about 10 min on 350 degree's 

OK...there ya have it
Enjoy! 

Hawaii's my Home?

   Hawaii to me is still not home. Its just so surreal. Thinking that one day our "vacation" will be over and we will be heading back home to snowy Ohio. Going back to the same routine that we had done for that past 5 years together. Wake up, head to work, get off late, quickly make dinner, then sleep and do the same thing the next day.
   I still turn to Mike as we drive through this beautiful place and ask him (being silly) where are we right now? I don't think I will ever stop pointing out that there is a mountain right in front of us, or that I am wearing shorts in November. It just amazes me that we were so lucky to be able to be sent here.
  We have started to talk about the upcoming possibility of things that might change if certain things don't work out. We still would be very thankful to the Marine Corps and feel very fulfilled because of this trip.  The schooling possibility's and the options of our new address is something that is being thought of but there are still so many what if's in the equation.
   Trying to take in this whole island (and other ones too) and feeling like the time is flying bye scares me. I do not want any time here taken for granted. I hear numerous times at work that so many lady's hate it here. I do understand that they miss their family but there are so many people that would trade places with them in a heart beat that would actually enjoy this experience. People spend their life savings on a 2 week trip here...and we live here! I want to shake them but I do understand that this "life" isn't for everyone.
   One of these day's maybe I will wake up and realize that it is not a dream and that I actually live in the 808 area code but as of now I will continue to try to rush and do as much as I can because it might be over at any day.
   

Happy Halloween

My dad sent me this.
I thought it was funny.
Hope everyone has a great Halloween!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

So Long...Favorite Holiday




Well...The Saturday night before Halloween, my favorite "night out" of the whole entire year has been ruined. Mike and I were all dressed and ready to go and to be exact, we were actually sitting in the car with the engine running when he got a text...he paused to read it when the loud speaker came on telling everyone to evacuate if your in the Tsunami zone.
 




 So the island ended up closing down Waikiki. People were only aloud out, not in so our plans were totally destroyed.


Mike and I decided to be zombies this year. Our other costumes were just not cutting it. I took a couple of pictures just for the fact that I spent a good hour doing our makeup.

As you can see, Bolo was Batman. He loved his costume.
Sheba was a skunk. I only made her wear the body to it. She was definitely not liking the head piece so I didn't force it.
After some debating, we decided to wait out the Tsunami warning and stay home.  
We carved our pumpkin's
 and of course the pumpkin seeds did not go to waste
Too Bad Nothing Happened!!! 
I would have lease liked to have seen a somewhat bigger wave to help me feel like this night wasn't a total loss. Nothing destructive but something other then a tiny ripple of water. 
Better safe then sorry I guess. 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Foster Botanical Garden / Kuan Yin Temple

  Foster's Garden is in the middle of Honolulu right by China Town. Its a beautiful place but with all the traffic noises.








This one was my favorite.  It looks like a pelican head.

Cannon Ball Tree 




Right next door to the garden is Kuan Yin Temple. I didn't venture into it but it sure looked pretty from the outside. 



Monday, October 22, 2012

Helpful Halloween Costume Idea's

I found a couple ideas for those people that have still know clue what they are wearing for this upcoming Holiday. 

Slutty Ghost 

Wilson and Chuck Noland (Cast Away)

 Tan Mom 

Don't forget the butt implants! 

Rock, Paper, Scissors

 eeh! 

Toddler's in Tiaras 

Magic Mike

Sparkly Unicorn 

Hopefully these are some helpful ideas. See you all in costume!




Sunday, October 21, 2012

Old Pali Trail

 Starting at the Pali Lookout, Mike and I ventured down to the Old Pali Road.


   New Pali Highway








This was definitely a little sketchy.  You had to climb under the New Pali Highway to continue the hike.




I'm not sure why I thought that this would be a good pose?


   We veered off the road to make our way to our destination.






The destination! Likeke Falls
 









Looking at the New Pali from the Old.


  Pali Tunnels