Browse Author: beakatude

Project 2: Super Duper Stripey Coaster

stripe.jpg
There you have it ladies and gentlemen, my second finished knitting project. I call it the Super Duper Stripey Coaster! It’s a variation from Project 1: The Super Duper Coaster except I had to learn how to start a different colored yarn…more complicated than it sounds. Yes, it’s a little crooked and the stripe isn’t really very even but I made this with my own two hands and will use it with pride!
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You too can have your very own if you give me a little time to let my fingers recover from his fiasco. Ah, this renegade Hobby #2 is really kicking butt. There’s so much you can do with a garter stitch (i.e. coasters, bookmarks, dishrags, scarves, etc.)…the possibilities are endless!

Maguro Yama…wha?!

Jes and I had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Irvine. It’s called Fukada and it’s a little restaurant that serves healthy authentic Japanese food. While we perused the extensive menu, we decided to try the Maguro Yamakake…we thought, “hm…tuna with some mountain potato…sounds alright…let’s try it.” Haha, what a bad idea. I’m sure it’s an acquired taste similar to that of kimchee or fish maw but I’m not sure we’ll order it again.
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Basically it was tuna sashimi (which I love!!) buried under a glop of white goo that was slimy and flavorless. They were kind enough to include a side of wasabi and a sprinkling of shredded nori but I’m not sure it really helped. It was like eating tuna sashimi with something that looked/felt like what a potato would regurgitate. It’s actually a Japanese yam that is grated so fine that it turns into a glutinous mess. Hm…go figure. Other than that dish, we walked away happy and satisfied as usual.

Ditto

My brother posted an “Ode to Mommy” today on his blog and it’s so true. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’re taking her out for some prime rib and creamed corn at Lawry’s! That seems to be her restaurant now. Turning another year older? Go to Lawry’s. It’s Mother’s Day? Go to Lawry’s! Mmm…I can’t wait. Thanks Mommy for all you do…and oh how I miss the Magical House.

For Jesse’s mom, we went in the other direction. Last night we celebrated Mother’s Day by inviting her over and cooking up a healthy salmon with a huge salad and veggies on the side. I think it’s great how healthy and active she is. While she’s telling all of us to not eat too much rice or feeding us steamed cabbage, she can gobble down an entire pecan pie at the drop of a hat. Her excuse? “I workout so I can eat whatever I want.” Good point. Props to you, Mom!

In conclusion, the lesson to be learned is that when I have children of my own, I will need to make sure there is equal time with both grandmas. Otherwise, my kid will either become a juicy rolly polly or a bean pole who doesn’t know what salt tastes like. As my father always says, “not too much and not too little”.

Hold on to what you have and embrace it.

I don’t get it. These past 6 months have been a little eerie.

Back in December, Marie travelled to NYC with her parents, 9-month old baby, and grandmother. On their flight home, her grandmother had a stroke. After a couple days in the hospital she recovered with a little bit of weakness on the left side of her body. Phew!

A couple weeks ago, I found out that my grandmother in Thailand had a stroke in her sleep and didn’t wake up the next morning. My dad and uncle dropped everything and flew a red-eye to Thailand. Fortunately, she woke up a few days later with her memory intact and no major complications. Yay!

Just yesterday, we find out that Jes’ grandma has cancer in her thyroid. So far, she’s had two surgeries to remove the malignant tumors and will start radiation treatment as soon as she regains her strength. She’s alert and already walking around but it’s going to be a tough road ahead for her and the family. *sigh*

All of a sudden mortality takes a front row seat in my life. It’s as if God needed to bonk me on the head real quick to help me realize that life is short and that we have to make the most of what we have NOW. This sure does put a little spin on Mother’s Day this year.

Saturday morning fun

IMG_3361.jpgThis morning we got up at 6:45 am, left the house by 7:10 am, and arrived at the Oakley Headquarters for our 7:30 am shopping extravaganza. Once again, Wendy hooked us up with VIP passes to the Oakley parking lot sale. We were there so early that cutting in line wasn’t as big of a deal this time around. I managed to score some $15 running/cycling gear and Jes got another pair of sunglasses and a $30 jacket that usually retails for $265. I also got my very own pair of snowboarding goggles to match the Oakley ski jacket and pants that I bought last November at this same sale. What fun!

By the way, Jes has a stomach of steel. No complications to report from his ice cream experiment.

“It’s just a little [old]…

It’s still good! It’s still good!” -Homer J. Simpson

We bought some pineapple coconut ice cream back when we first moved into our house in September 03. We never opened it and thought it would be a good idea for Jesse to try it. Notice the date on the bottom? It says Septmeber 9th…2004! Eh. It was sealed this whole time in the freezer. How bad could it be?

Looks ok…color is good, smell is good. Let’s try it.

Hey, he’s already eaten at least 5 bites of it and no rumblies in the tummy yet! In fact, I think he’s enjoying it!

We’ll see how he feels in the morning. Back to the freezer the ice cream will go!