Recent Events

Poke Poku

Poke is a great mid priced dinner you can have that is very high on the ‘not bad for you’ scale.  Everyone knows what sushi is and is familiar with Japanese sushi rolls.  Hawaiians will take the sushi and make a rice or salad bowl with similar ingredients.  The salad is the low-carb solution but most people get rice.  I always get the salmon but there are other fish options.  The fun part is picking out a dozen or so other ingredients and sauces.  Nobody ever craves for salad or gets too excited – but this is an exception.

Yum
More Yum
How did Lulu picture get in here?

The Pad

Finally had a chance to visit The Pad in Henderson.  It is the closest climbing gym in the area.  It has been WAY too many years since I have been climbing but I dug up my old harness and went.

It is a very big warehouse with lots of bouldering walls and a medium sized rope climbing wall.  They have 7 auto-belays.  They have a weight and excercise area along with some specialized climbing training items.  The staff is super helpful and the customers range in all ages and skill levels.

The walls are not as amazing as the wonderful Vertical Endeavors in MN but better than most gyms.

I need to really work on my hand / forearm strength and strength:weight ratio.  I need to be more like Magnus.

For 23$, it is not a bad way to spend an afternoon

My equipment bag
Boudering wall
Sport Climbing wall

Coffee Cup

There are a handful of good breakfast places in BC.  They get really busy on weekends so get there early.  Coffee Cup is known for having Guy Fieri from DDD on the food channel visit.   We have had everything on the menu and it’s all good.  The huevos rancheros, papa-con, chili verde, and chicken fried steak are ginormous and require a nap afterwards.  Below are 2 lighter options.

Croissant, egg, cheese, ham
Sourdough, Egg, Tomato, Swiss

Sheep

A couple dozen sheep or more were hanging out at Hemenway Park.  Would you rather walk around in the cactus all day or eat the soft green grass at the park?  Technically, they are Desert Bighorn Sheep.  The herd moves around in the River Mountains – Bootleg canyon, Cascada golf course, Hemenway park, and the lake side neighborhoods.  They are pretty tame and get close to people.  Pull off the highway coming up from the dam and odds are good you will see them at the park this time of year.

Mowing the lawn
Sheep on the horizon

Dixie

Dixie is a good neighbor dog who watches the house.  Dixie and Lulu keep their distance from each other.  She comes over every morning for snacks (and to secretly see the cat). Dixie is really good about staying in the yard and not leaving the perimeter to chase other dogs.

Waiting on the step for treats
What do you mean there are no more treats
Looking out for the scary cat

Gangnam Korean BBQ

Korean BBQ is my favorite BBQ of them all.  Many of the meats come pre-marinated.  They are sliced thin so they cook fast. You have to cook it yourself on a grill in the middle of your table.  It comes with many small dishes of garnish and sauce.  Kimchi would be an example.  Gangnam is one of the better spots in town and hard to get a table without a reservation.

Dualing Mother’s Day event with 2 Moms this year.

Ribeye
Kabocha and mixed Tempura
Shrimp, Beef Chuck, and my favorite Spicy Pork (Gochujang)
Shishito peppers
Glass noodles, jalapenos, kimchi
Beef Bulgogi bibimbap. I like to start with this as a base and add the grilled items to it.
Ice cream Macaron cookies – yum
T and K
R and M

 

Handmade Cushions by Mom

My mother has been very crafty all her life.  She had several beautiful Kimonos which were stained in few places at the hem, and could not wear them any longer.

She decided to give those beautiful fabric another life, by making cushion covers!  It is very delicate silky fabric, with beautiful patterns.

They make the house bright and welcoming!

When I opened the postal package, the distinct sent of Kimono fabric brought me back to my home I grew up.  I loved the times when my mother occasionally brought out kimonos and opened up the special paper covering of each layers of them, which gives out the whiff of scent, hard to describe, yet noble and elegant.

I will always be thankful for my mother’s kindness and her wisdom in many facet of life.

Hachi – Japanese Yakitori Izakaya

Hachi is the name of the restaurant – translates to the number ‘8’.

Yakitori are japanese ‘Shish Kabobs’ grilled on a special imported Binchotan charcoal.

Izakaya are small plates like you would find at a Spanish Tapas bar. They also have the traditional Sushi, Ramen, Katsu selections but we wanted to try some other items not commonly seen.

Salmon: Sushi with razor thin lemon slices.  Ask for lemon slices, it makes all the difference in the world.  Eat the whole thing, rind and all.
Takoyaki: Crispy dough balls filled with octopus covered in a sweet glaze with bonito flakes
Hayashi Nasu: Eggplant served cold in a glaze with bonito flakes
Tsukune: Ground chicken sticks with super soft boiled egg
Kurobuta: Grilled Sausage
Grilled Chicken Sticks
Binochotan grilled steak
Grilled Okra
Grilled Shishito peppers: My favorite selection. The blacked parts really show off the binchotan flavor  
Honey Toast: 1000cm^3 in a perfect cube of bread filled with ice cream and honey. This was the cheat of the week.  Doesn’t that look fabulous?