Problem Cake #2

If you remember from our first posts in the summer, I tried to make a chocolate cake that just did not look edible. Well here is cake nightmare number two: burnt and cracked rose cake. Zach bought me a silicone rose-shapped cake mold to make bundt cakes. The picture shows my second attempt. The first one looked better but was still unpresentable. At the time, I thought maybe the modifications that I had made to the first cake recipe had been the problem. Now after two tries both Zach and I seem to think the oven is the culprit but we're still investigating. Zach made some powdered sugar to try and make the second cake look better but I wasn't impressed.

More Christmas decor

I found some gift bags in the shape of christmas stockings with the Hawaiian saying "Mele Kalikimaka" to hang on the backside of our kitchen cabinets along with christmas cards from family and friends. Zach also decorated the lanai railing with rope light and lighted garland.

Cookies, Mochi and Candy

I forgot to take a picture of the buffet table before we ate and before I cleaned it up but I realized that I still had some cookies, mochi and candy that I could show. The top picture is of the candy that Mingxiao brought for us to try: Pineapple sandwich cookies and jelly filled Burger Mallows. The bottom picture shows the different cookies and mochi we had to eat. Clockwise starting at the top: chocolate mochi (made from rice flour), butter mochi (tastes just like pound cake!), Walnut topped stuffed sugar cookies stuffed with Keebler fudge mint cookies, Anna's three cookies, and last Zach's Peppermint pinwheels.

Our First Real Christmas Tree

Past Christmases we have always had an artificial tree but this year we decided to get a real tree! We got a Noble Pine from Home Depot and decorated it with a candy cane theme. We like it and thought everyone else might want a gander.

More Christmas Pics

More pics of us wearing funny hats!

Our First Christmas Party in Hawai'i

Anna, Katie and Mingxiao came over for a little dinner party. I wanted to try out a new chicken recipe, Ginger Sesame Chicken, and some new cookies, Peppermint Pinwheel and Walnut Stuffed Sugar Cookies. Zach made the chicken which quickly disappeared off the platter and he also made the Peppermint Pinwheel cookies. I made the Walnut Stuffed Sugar Cookies and an asian salad with spinach, almond slivers, mandarin oranges, and raisins. Zach had to show Mingxiao the tree stand to prove to her that the Noble Pine we had for our Christmas tree was real! We enjoyed opening some christmas poppers wearing our paper crowns and reading our silly jokes. Cookies were swapped as Anna brought some really good star anise, shortbread, and mint cookies. Katie brought salami and gouda. I warned her about Zach's propensity for making sliced meats disapper and it didn't take long for her to see what I was talking about. Anyway, we had a good time eating, watching House on Fox and playing CatchPhrase which Anna learned can be played by passing the game instead of holding on to it till it beeps. Thanks to the gals for coming and bringing good food.

Christmas in Hawaii!

This year Zach and I are spending Christmas in Hawai'i! This will be our first Christmas away from home and we're going to do everything we can to enjoy the season in Hawai'i. People put up tons of decorations and they have parades, shows, and special events all month long. We even put up our first real tree! We got a Noble Pine from the Home Depot near Ward. The pine smell fills the apartment. For decoration we went with a candy cane theme this year. Here are some pics showing Christmas in Hawai'i. One is of the pink tree from Sanrio at Ala Moana. The other pics are of the Candy Cane Train which kids can ride at Ala Moana. The train goes around one level of the mall.

Hanazen!

One of my favorite places to eat is Hanazen near Walmart on Keeaumoku Street. Zach and I each decided to try something different. Well he did with his Ahi Natto rice bowl (first pic). I stuck with an old favorite Curry Udon (second pic). Curry with beef and noodles. Yum!

Random Pics from Hawaii

Here are some random pics I took before Zach and I went to Georgia for Thanksgiving. The first picture is of the Koolau Ridge from our lanai. The second pic is of our shoes in the kitchen. The third pic is of a hibiscus flower in Waikiki. The fourth is a sign for a local yard equipment rental place that always has some funny or catchy phrase. I'm always checking the sign out for a new one. The last picture is of Anna, the master's student in the lab I work in at UH. She took very good care of our fish while we were gone. Thanks Anna! Just a note she is showing the Hawaiian shaka, a hand signal for goodwill.

Thanksgiving Trip to Georgia

Zach and I went home to Georgia for Thanksgiving due to the generosity of Zach's aunt Carol. Thanks Carol!
We stuffed ourselves, saw family and went shopping on the day after Thanksgiving but those who know me will be greatly surprised to note that I didn't take many pictures. I was too busy seeing people and doing things. But I do have some pictures!
The first picture is of Carol and Daniel. Zach's grandmother Betty, aunt Carol, cousin Daniel, mom Patty, Zach and I went to The Cracker Barrel for lunch at Banks Crossing which is a shopping center in Banks County right across the Jackson County line near Commerce. The second picture is of me, Zach and Patty at our table. The third picture is a nice picture of mother and son. I'll post more pics later as they are currently on the video camera and I need Zach's technical expertise to get them onto the blog. We miss you guys!
Sharon

Tinkering

Chili's Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake

Zach and I went to Chili's at Kahala Mall for dinner Saturday night and I noticed a strawberry margarita cheesecake on the menu which I had to try. Basically it is a strawberry cheesecake with lime accents. Not bad. If you're at Chili's and in the mood for strawberry cheesecake and don't have Cheesecake Factory expectations then I would recommend this dessert.
Sharon

"Dressing A Galaxy"

Ever since I heard this book was coming out I wanted it both as a Star Wars fan and as a costumer (I'm workin' on this!). Needless to say it is everything I had hoped it would be so if you are either of the above go get it! And if you have the opportunity go to Los Angeles to check out the fashion show associated with the book.
Sharon

Halloween Night in Hawai'i

Zach and I carved new pumpkins for Halloween night as the pumpkins we had carved mid-month for the party were quickly colonized by fungi and had to be disposed of after a few days. I carved a Hello Kitty into a small pumpkin while Zach carved Animal (of Muppet fame) into a large one.

Family Connection to Pearl Harbor

My maternal grandfather, Homer Nathaniel Chappell, was stationed on the USS Honolulu during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The pictures above show where the USS Honolulu was positioned in the harbor during the attack. The USS Honolulu was a light cruiser and received moderate damage.

More pics from Arizona Memorial

The first picture is inside the memorial itself. The second is of Zach standing next to an anchor at the entrance to the visitor's center. The third picture is of the USS Arizona Memorial from the visitor's ferry.

USS Arizona Memorial - Pearl Harbor, Oahu, HI

Zach and I went last Sunday to visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Both of us have studied the history of WWII and the attack on Pearl Harbor but we were not prepared for the short movie that visitors have to watch before being allowed to visit the memorial itself. Very moving as is the memorial at which you are asked to not speak above a whisper. If you visit Hawai'i, you need to visit the Arizona.

Surf Boards at Sam's Club

You know you're in Hawai'i when Sam's sells surf boards. And there are Star Wars fans who work in the bakery! Check out the Stormtrooper cake!

Puck's Alley

Puck's Alley is a strip mall Honolulu-style as the businesses fill two levels with parking in back and on top. Both the Cocoichicbanya Curry House that I like to eat at and the Halloween Express store are located in Puck's Alley. The bus stop that I go to everyday to catch a bus to campus is right in front of the Curry House and Halloween Express. I try to get the #6 which takes me right to my building but sometimes I'll catch a 4 or the A Express.

More clouds and mountains

1) First Pic: Zach and I were standing at the bus stop on University and we noticed that the mountains were extremely visible so of course I had to take a picture. The building in the middle of the picture with the blue windows is the POST building where I work.

2) Second Pic: Zach caught a really good rainbow Friday evening from our lanai. The view from our apartment never ceases to amaze me which is one thing I like about being here. Compare this picture with the one from the Rain post where clouds completely blocked our view of the mountains.

HardRock Cafe Honolulu, Hawai'i

Zach and I went to a VWR vendor thank you party at the HardRock Cafe on Thursday (Oct. 27). We met up with Mingxiao (see first two pics) and chatted with one of the sales reps for Buchi a company that sells solvent separation systems. The finger food provided was good but the music was a little loud. Mostly we went to check out the HardRock here in Honolulu. Same as everywhere else though inside the restaurant the music was at a pleasant volume unlike other HardRock's where I felt that I was going to be deaf if I sat inside too long.

Pearl from Hilo Hattie's

Zach and I went to Hilo Hattie's to do some Christmas shopping and instead we wound up getting a pearl for me! One of the female associates gave Zach and I each a key to see if one or both of the keys would open up a box. Zach's key didn't work but mine did and I got to pick out a silk pouch containing a surprise. My surprise was a coupon for 50% off a "pick a pearl". The pick a pearl promotion allows you to pick your own oyster which is shucked right in front of you and if there is a pearl inside the pearl is yours for $13.95. Mine was only $7 and turned out to be a really pretty grey pearl. Zach wants to put it in a ring setting that I wanted for my engagement ring at a jewelry store in Athens.