Blog Archives

I'm Stalling

5/28/2012

It's ironing day, and I'm stalling. Hard. It's not like I have a lot to do (four days' worth) but it's muggy, and as you know I kinda hate ironing. Here are some other options:
1. Clean the catbox.
2. Wash the two bowls and spoons we used at lunch.
3. Dead-head the geraniums.
These all sound better than ironing. Isn't that sad? Below: Making good use of an ironing board.

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Hey, That's Not Hilo

5/25/2012

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I apologize for the delay in fresh posts. We just returned from New York. Good news includes the fact that Miss Scarlett has graduated, with honors, and is installed in her first apartment. We had a wonderful time.

The bad news is that Mr. L and I woke up, upon our return, with very bad colds. We think it was inevitable, due to the crowds, airports, and overabundance of germs.

Here were a few observations.

It isn’t polite to stare, but Korean Air flight attendants made me want to. They are stunning! Our hotel in Times Square was full of them.

In Hilo, we don’t honk. In New York, our cabbie explained that people think you are stupid if you don’t.

Shoes hurt. It is nice to be back in slippahs.

If you enjoy a glass of wine, such as we do, obtaining it is a complicated business. I had forgotten this, from the last time we were there. Beer is readily available, but wine (and other spirits) must be purchased at freestanding shops (unless you are in a restaurant). You can buy 6% alcohol wines in supermarkets, but as a California native I rebelled at the thought. Fortunately, we found some new beers to try and that was fun.

I finally rode the subway. It “lurches” when you get going and when you stop. Good thing Miss Scarlett told me to hang on tight.

Five hours is too damn long for a graduation. Once your own child receives her diploma, who cares?

If you enjoy Italian food, wow, that’s the place.

Las Vegas International Airport is my most favorite airport, ever. It’s clean, airy, has decent food, shops, and . . . slot machines.

Miss Scarlett has made some wonderful NY friends. We love them.

Back to nursing my cold and holding down the couch.

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Loving Lysol

5/14/2012

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I cleaned my house today. I am feeling rather smug about it and yes, I did buy myself a treat (spicy ahi poke). You may be thinking “Well, what is the big deal about cleaning house?”. The big deal is that I really, really hate to clean, so rarely do. Oh, I run a broom around once in a while, or blow on the dust to move it. Deep-cleaning, however, is just not one of those things I do often. Or well.

I know, on a blog about “most things domestic,” you’d expect a little more about how to keep the dang house clean. Well, you won’t find much of that here – but when I do clean you’re going to get a lot of (unnecessary) fuss about it.

Because company is coming, cleaning was absolutely necessary. It was going fairly well until I sucked up a rock in the vacuum cleaner, thereby causing it to seize up and smell very hot. It’s a good thing Mr. L really enjoys taking apart the vacuum cleaner. I don’t have any idea why there was a small rock under his grandmother’s Victorian Monstrosity table. I redeemed myself by finding one of his missing slippers under the bed, where it was completely covered by dust bunnies. Well, no wonder we couldn’t see it.

Pictured above (next to some of Mr. L’s beautiful tile work) is my favorite new cleaning product. I am not being paid to promote it (but feel free, Lysol folks). This stuff WORKS. I think if you used enough of it, the offending object would just disappear. Hey! Didn’t there used to be a shower curtain, here? Sure, I could use some scrubbing-type potion to remove grime, but why, if only my trigger finger is needed?

The dust buffalos having been corralled, I believe it is time for a beer and a nap. Oh, and here is former neighbor Shirley’s window-cleaning recipe:

To a bucket, pour in three drops of Dawn detergent. Add a ¼ cup of vinegar and a squeeze of lemon. Fill with warm water.

Shirley was given this recipe by an actual window-cleaner. I think it works really nicely. You know, of course, that if you use newspaper to dry your windows, they will be streak-free. Happy cleaning, if you must.

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Aloha from Hilo

5/9/2012

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Coconut Island

Today, just photos taken at Liliuokolani Park.

High tide at Liliuokalani Park

Beautiful potatoes.

Okay, I lied. I just had to post these potatoes because they are so purty.

Footbridge from Lili Park to Coconut Island.

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Just a Beautiful Hawaii Day

5/6/2012

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Today, the weather is so nice, I am determined to spend most of it outside. Thought I would share some of the beauty with you!

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Pork Kebabs with Shoyu-Sherry Marinade

5/5/2012

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Mr. L said he thought these were worth a mention. Pictured: Marinated, grilled pork kebabs, as well as some skewered vegetables. Wait: Skewer? Kebab? Shishkebab? What's correct? A proper food blogger would know. I just shove stuff on sticks. At any rate, I made up a new marinade, and it was a winner.

Cruel Ironing's Sherry-Shoyu Marinade
3/4 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup shoyu (soy sauce)
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 and 1/2 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder
1 tsp. cilantro
1/4 tsp. pepper

Combine ingredients and pour into a gallon Ziploc bag. Add chunks of pork, beef, or chicken. Allow to marinade 2 - 4 hours. Remove meat chunks from bag with slotted spoon and thread onto skewers. Reserve unused marinade. Grill skewers as desired. Boil unused marinade, then use as dipping sauce or pour over meat skewers.

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Farm and Garden Report

5/1/2012

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One of the many things I love about having a garden: peace. Even when you have had a really busy day, a little time outside (at least to me) is incredibly calming. I just stepped outside to have a look at the garden, and I can already feel my neck and shoulders relaxing. The peas, beans, beets and bok choy starts are looking happy. Above: green bananas. Below: the blueberry bush has started producing. As Mr. L. said: "Hey, you have enough for a muffin." Very funny. I am anxiously awaiting Rozett's Nursery's next shipment of blueberry bushes. Craving peace? Get into the dirt. - C.Ironing

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