By reading this blog, one would probably not know that there is a 2nd child in the house and I feel like I can only use the “2nd child” excuse for so long.
So here’s a few things you didn’t (or actually did) know about Ringo.
- There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that he is The Husband’s child.
- Ringo gets a big kick out of playing “chicken” with Peanut in the hallway. It cracks him up to no end, but gives the adult holding him a sore back.
- Favorite fruit to eat (as of today) = bananas
- Favorite tuber to eat (as of today) = sweet potatoes
- Eyes are still blue!
- Though he LOVES to eat (often), he’s still only in the 10%ile
- He’s a roll to right kind of guy
- Ringo HATES the Bumbo and thinks sitting is for sissies.
- He’s a ladies man in the making: It was either his 2-month or 4-month check-up and time for vaccinations…I laid him down on the table, little legs exposed, ready for the inoculations. Cried and screamed when it happened…as I went to pick him up, he stopped crying and gave the nurses a huge smile over my shoulder. They, of course, all gushed over him, making him smile even more.
- He’s one of the cutest little munchkins I’ve ever seen!
Yes, yes…we are back from (just shy of) 2 weeks on Maui. It was a much deserved and well spent vacay for the clan.
And yes, I did come back with a tee shirt, but also picked up some nice earrings. If anyone scored during this trip it was Mads: a $10 book from the ABC store that was well worth the money, jibbitz from the Crocs store in Lahaina, a cute Hawaiian dress from TropiKidz in Paia, reefs (of the flip-flop kind), a pony/horse book and play scene, a tee shirt from Kiwi John’s in Paia….
So, here are the top 10 highlights from our Maui vacay…
- Bento boxes from the Pukalani Superette – stopped here to pick up some picnic items and left with some darn good bento boxes: beef teriyaki, chicken lau lau, roast pork, macaroni salad, chow mein, rice (of course!) and last but not least, spam musubi. So, so good we were trying how we could justify driving up to Pukalani on the way to Wailea.
- Palauea Beach – just a few minutes south of Polo Beach in Wailea, this beach was perfect for hanging out, playing in the water, snorkeling (there were turtle sightings) and had great views of Molokini & Kaho’olawe.
- Island Birds – even the birds are laid back…they would move (walk, not even fly) out of the car’s path at the last absolute second.
- A rainy hike to twin falls – didn’t quite make it to the falls, but we saw beautiful flowers, big a** spiders, and my mom off-roading in this short hike all in the rain.
- Waking up to a gorgeous view from our private lanai
- Sweet & fresh fruit: mangoes and pineapples, especially
- Paia & the upcountry of Maui – being on the windward side, meant it was a LOT cooler. Paia & the upcountry towns (Haiku, Makawao, Ulupalakula) we visited were much nicer than the touristy spots.
- Kalua Pork at HanaHou Cafe – and what would you know, the owner is French! The profiteroles and tarte tatin were pretty good too!
- A little girl at the playground referring to S & I as “uncle” and “auntie”
- Mads thoroughly enjoying the pool after being so uncooperative for swim lessons
looking out from palauea beach
I recently was in France – unfortunately, not for vacay, I did have to work. Fortunately, I was able to make it to Paris twice – my extended family lives just outside Paris (about 20m on the RER) – so going into Paris isn’t a big hassle. It was a short visit, but it was a nice reminder why I love this city. So, naturally, I’ve put together a list of my 10 favorite things about Paris, France.
- Le Metro – Probably because I don’t take public transportation on a daily basis, but I LOVE the metro system in Paris (you probably think I’m crazy now, if you didn’t before). There is a metro stop nearly everywhere you go – unlike London – and you can get pretty much anywhere. Where else on a metro will you have crazy musicians or gypsies with portly babies begging for change?
- Le Tour Eiffel lit up at night – so beautiful, so romantic
- Crepes in the 5th – nothing, nothing beats a nutella crepe from one of the many crepe stands in the Latin Quarter
- Lu – not really Parisien, more like a French thing. Lu is probably the French equivalent of Hostess, but they put out much better snacks. A recent find of mine were the Pockitos – a shortbread type cookie bar filled with chocolate. Another good one is the Chocolate Oursons – yellow cake shaped teddy bears filled with, yes, you guessed it, chocolate.
- Walking – the only way to really see a city is to walk its streets. No matter how tired I am, I find walking Paris is…energizing. Especially at night. We took a lovely post-dinner walk from the 7th, along the Champs Elysses, through Place de la Concorde, Place Vendome to Opera.
- Fresh baguettes – you haven’t tasted anything until you’ve had a FRESH baguette from the boulangerie
- History – the city is just teeming with history
- Croissants/Pain au Chocolat – sorry, I just can’t seem to get away from the food!
- Picpus – I just think it’s fun to say.
- Steak Frites
I know that this doesn’t even come close for some people. What are your favorite things about Paris?
taken from pont de l'alma
To satisfy my need to make lists (with pictures!), I’ve put together a list of my favorite 10 choses (things) in my kitchen.
- Round Dutch Oven – The work horse of my kitchen. From soups to roasts to easy, peasy Chile Verde, I think this is must have in all kitchens. I love it so much, I invested in the 9-quart oven as well!
- Stand Mixer – Making cookies, cakes, whipped cream and even pizza dough has never been so easy.
- Slow Cooker – Manna from heaven for working moms. With some quick prep the night before or the morning of, a wonderful & healthy family dinner is yours.
- Prep bowls – for your mise en place, it makes cooking and baking move a lot quicker
- Rasp grater – for perfectly grated citrus zest, freshly grated nutmeg. It grates even onions, ginger and…yum, chocolate.
- Santoku knife – i heart my santoku knife
- Mandoline – not made for slicing soft items (like eggplant; ask about the stitches), but made for perfectly sliced potatoes for a gratin or dauphinois.
- Ceramic baker – I use this baker for everything: lasagna, brownies, casseroles. Probably the 2nd hardest working horse in my kitchen.
- Rice cooker – I am no longer an Asian without a fancy pants rice cooker. It takes a bit longer than cooking rice on the stove top, but so far every batch of brown rice I’ve cooked in it has come out nice and fluffy!
- Peeler – for easy peasy peeling, this Swiss peeler rocks!