Aloha ohana

I think I can sum up my family's visit in this one image:

It was that crazy good.

But here are a few more fun GIFs anyway...

Mom ringing the bell at Byodo-In Temple

Bryan jumping for joy at Puu Ualakaa Park

Tree climbing and a shower of flowers at Paradise Cove Luau

Kaity and Dad learning the hula

Leave of Absence

My family's coming for a visit.  I cannot express how happy I am to have them here for their too-short stay.  

Check back late next week for pictures and stories about my awesome kin folk.

Aloha y'all!

I Hear You

Men Who Tell Me To Smile

Good grief.  I've thought the very same thing.  Like word for word.  

About a bazillion times.

(via 24 Free Dinners)

ATTENTION EVERYONE I KNOW

THIS could save a lot of hassle.  

I'm  just sayin.

Front Page

Hee!

It's so exciting when I find out one of my items makes it onto the front page of Etsy.  It's only happened one other time.  Like, two years ago.  But still.  

Today my Pet Sketch was featured.  

I wasn't able to see it in person, but I found a screen cap through Flickr.  Look!  There I am.  At the bottom.

Thanks Etsy.  

Sea Gulls Are Jerks!

I've had this link saved for a couple months now.  I visit it every once in awhile; the pictures always make me smile.  It won't disappoint.  I promise.

The looks on those peoples' faces are priceless.  Go check it out.

Birds Stealing Ice Cream

Not-So-Weekly Recipe

I tried to make mashed sweet potatoes.  

I failed. 

 

I don't know how.  But I did.  So in an effort to save as much as I could, I made a pie.  You can't go wrong with pie.

Salvaged Sweet Potato Pie

ingredients

1 package graham crackers, crumbled

1/4 - 1/2 cup melted butter

Ground cinnamon

Mashed sweet potatoes (I peeled and diced 4 good-sized potatoes, and boiled them til soft.  I mashed them with some butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a bit of brown sugar.)

1/2 cup milk

1 large egg

1/4 - 1/2 cup sugar

More cinnamon, and nutmeg, and allspice

directions

1.  Mix graham cracker crumbs, dash of cinnamon, and melted butter.  Use only as much butter as needed to coat crumbs.  Press into bottom of pie plate.

2.  Scramble egg in a large bowl.  Add sugar (amount depends on how much sugar was used in the "mashing" part.  I used close to 1/2 cup white sugar, but brown sugar would be great, too).  Combine mashed sweet potatoes.  Mix.  At this part, I remembered pumpkin pies need condensed milk...  so I went ahead and added some regular fat-free milk.  I couldn't really say how much, but just enough to thin out the potato mixture.  

3.  Dump in a bunch of spices.  Well, you know.  Whatever seems reasonable.

4.  Mix.
5.  Pour into pie crust.  Bake in preheated oven at 350* for umm...an hour.  It might have been longer.  Just keep checking on it.  It's done when the center doesn't jiggle any more.

It turns out really rustic looking, which I like.  Of course this isn't the best summertime recipe, but it was a nice way to save a misfired meal, and it kinda reminds you of Thanksgiving.  Which is always nice anyhow.

Add a dollop  of whipped cream, and enjoy!

I Can Haz Goggie Look-A-Like?

Me, 26 years ago.  Playing in a bucket, and completely ignoring the kiddie pool right beside it.

Loldog, from I Has A Hotdog

Look at the matching hands on the rim of the buckets.  Twins!  ZOMG!!1!!!

Etsy: Turned into Reality

Artwork Inspiration

Blanche by RobynHyzy

Wearable Pieces

Vintage Gold Feather Sequins Dress from Apocalypsevintage

Pure n Simple by Jcjewelrydesign

Gold Embroidered Handbag from Pomoga

Extremely Pathetic Personal Confession

I've been loosing track of what day of the week it is, because the regular t.v. schedule is on summer hiatus.

Regarding Daniel Craig and Pressure From Our Mothers Wanting Grandkids

Sheri:  If you can find me someone who looks like him, I'll pop out some babies right now.

Not APPreciated

Dear Apple,

I'm a huge fan.  I love your work.

However, I have some qualms over about the App Store.  Could you please cut it out with all the naked lady apps?  I mean really.  It's getting ridiculous.  

Not to mention offensive.  

And degrading.

And totally lacking in any kind of creative effort.

Seriously.

Thanks,

Kelly

Our Fifth Wedding Anniversary

Do I need another reason to love this man?

Nope.

Illi!

I won these adorable earrings through a give-away Illi ran through her website, illihandmade.  

Too cute, right?  

Her site is great, and her Etsy shop is filled with even more kawaii goodness!  Make sure to check it out.

27! It's pretty cool...

Etsy: Turned into Reality

Artwork Inspiration

Eidyia by EmilyBalivet

Wearable Pieces

Metal Barrette Brass Stamping from Artpassionsdesign

Peacock Feather Cluster Clip by Washedupmermaid

Full Moon Pearl Necklace by Soradesigns

How typical

Good news from the doctor.

I just had an atypical spot.

Nothing serious.

But very relieved.

Not-So-Weekly Recipe

Hawaiian food is really similar to Southern food when you get down to it.  There's lots of deep frying, lots of side dishes, and lots of influences.  All in the best way possible.  

Manapua is without question my favorite local food so far.  

And here's my very southern take on it.

Southern Manapua

ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Bisquick mix

1/2 cup milk

About 1/2 cup finely chopped, cooked, chicken (I used leftovers...I generously season my chicken breasts with pepper, garlic salt, onion powder, Italian Medley Mrs. Dash, and parsley, both sides, and cook them on our little George Forman grill)

6 slices cheddar cheese, or about a handful of shredded

butter and garlic salt (optional)

directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 450*

2.  Prepare biscuit mix.  Using box directions, simply mix milk into Bisquick.  

3.  Spoon out 6 mounds of dough onto baking sheet.  Flatten as best as possible (it's pretty sticky).

4.  Pile on chicken and cheese.

5.  Cover biscuits with remaining dough.

6.  Cooks up in less than 10 minutes.  So keep an eye on 'em.

7.  Just before taking out of the oven, lightly brush with butter and sprinkle with garlic salt.

Enjoy!

Slice of life

Dear Blog,

I just got back from the doctor.  I had a spot (mole?) removed from my back.  Not a huge ordeal...a couple family members and a close friend also had the same thing done.  

But still... it's, uh, NOT fun.

I have a week for the stitches to heal.  And a week until results come back from the pathology lab.

Holding my breath for positive (negative?) results,

k 

Unaware

Since when did 4-20 become, like, a national holiday?

What's four twenty?

April 20th.  The day.  For stoners.  It's been all over the radio, and on tv.

Oh.  I thought that was something for Canada.

Seriously?

ZOMG!

Fuck You, Penguin:  A Blog Where I Tell Cute Animals What's What

Etsy: Turned into Reality

Artwork Inspiration

Horsewoman by Irisschwarz

Wearable Pieces

Double Hoop Drops by Bonnieboardman

Strapless Burlesque Bra from Funkomavintage

Black Leggings by Lamixx

Tall Vintage Black Suede Boots from Sophistikate

Sorry...

Things got a little rant-y there for a bit.

Body Issues

So while I was flipping around channels the other day, I stopped on the Style Network because "Style Me Famous" was on.  It'd been a long time since I'd seen an episode, and I always thought it was kinda fun.

However, this one show really got to me.  It focused on a great lady who wanted to change her look, to resemble Queen Latifah.  

About 10 minutes in, when they started to do the shopping segment, I got so fed up I turned off the t.v.  The stylist would pick out outfits, and tell the participant how great it would look on her.  How it would "fix any problem areas" or "cover your flaws."  

Heaven forbid a heavy set woman doesn't own a wrap dress that will fix her multitude of flaws.

The stylists on the show were always quick to mention undergarments and support pieces...but they weren't to make you smaller...just smooth everything out.  Because that's what's really important.

But they kept saying the word FLAWS.  I don't know how that lady put up with it.  It was so underhanded...and it really got under my skin.

Flaws.  

Something's wrong with her body.

How horrible is it having someone repeatedly pointing out that your body is wrong, all under the pretense of helping.

It's embarrassing.

There's been lots of talk lately about accepting larger sizes; about the fashion industry veering away from size 0's.  The average American woman is a size 14.  I'm a size 14.  And it's super hard to find clothes a lot of times.  Forget high end fashion designers.  Almost all don't go passed size 10 or 12.  Big girls like interesting clothes too, you know.  

So frustrating.  

Some reading material, to see where I'm coming from:

The triumph of curves

Are we really experiencing the "Triumph of Curves?"

Celestial Bodies

5 Resolutions to Transform the Fashion and Beauty Industries

Overweight Women:  To Be Celebrated?  Or Shamed?

My Achy Breaky Heart Can't Take It Any More

I am so over Miley Cyrus.

For serious.

Why is she everywhere?  And why are all sorts of news outlets treating her like she's dropping little golden nuggets of wisdom out of her mouth?  She's 16.  She wrote a memoir.  At age 16.  ...Actually since it was just published, she had to have been at least 15 when it was done.  Which is more infuriating.  

But still.

16!

We.  Don't.  Care.

My sister is the same age.  I love her more than anything, but I don't go to her for life-insights or to shape my world view.  Teenagers don't know anything!  That's kinda the whole point to growing up.

Get back to me in about 20 years.

Not cool...

Seeing a centipede crawling along the outside of Joe's sock drawer, as he was pulling out a pair of socks.  

The drawer is in a dresser that's right beside the bed.  

Of that dresser, the sock drawer is the only drawer at THE EXACT SAME LEVEL AS MY FACE.

I was less than 6 inches away from that sci-fi creepy crawly.  

Dude, do you even know about centipedes?  If you did, you'd so be freaking out with me on this.  They have CLAWS!  POISONOUS CLAWS!  And, like, a gazillion legs.  That make them move really fast.  And hard shells which make them hard to kill....which also causes a disgusting crunch when you finally do.  

And they leave the nastiest mess on the floor.

Ugh  ::full body shudder::

Not cool Mother Nature.  Not cool.

Black thumb

While watching tv, a commercial for Home Depot comes on.  Of course filled with tons of beautiful flowers and people looking happy in the middle of all that Spring-ness.

Me:  [heavy sigh]  I wish I had a garden like that.  I can't even keep potted plants alive.

Joe:  But there's that one on the patio...

Me:  Yeah, but it's growing sideways!

Joe:  True.  I guess it's trying to get away from you.  [laugh]  Like when you go to water it, do you hear a faint "uurrrgggg" and see exposed roots on one side?

Kinda makes a girl weak in the knees

Adorableness found at Cute and Cuter

Projects in the works

Idol

Dear iTunes,

Your Genius feature rocks my socks off.  It's amazing really.  I'll love you forever and ever because of it.  

But.

Just because I bought that naughty version of "Ring of Fire" by that one dude from American Idol does NOT mean I want MORE MUSIC FROM THE REST OF THOSE PEOPLE.

Sooo...can you kinda get smarter about my recommendations now?  Please?

Thanks.

Warm regards,

Kelly

Etsy: Turned into Reality

Artwork Inspiration

Too Shy No.15 by Rosiemusic

Wearable Pieces

Vintage 1930s Freestyle Bow Tie from Elizabethwrenvintage

and don't forget that zipper boy Shirt from VeraVague

Vintage Suit Vest from Amyhartranft

Vintage Wool Trousers from StelmaDesigns

Because I need a laugh

And I'm just cool enough to share the lolz

Punch Lines - collections of the funniest parts from the funniest jokes of the funniest comedians

Along the same line

One of the most amazing short films I've ever seen

via Hula Seventy

Recurring question

I've often wondered how many strangers' photographs I end up in.  How often do people sit around a photo album, and see me?  Of course they don't know it's me, but I'm there.

Irish eyes are smiling

Joe:  I forgot it's St. Patrick's Day today.  Did you?

Me:  Of course not.  I remembered.

Joe:  Oh.

[pause]

...But you're not wearing any green.

Me:  I don't have to wear green.  I bleed green.

Not childish

I have an obligation to hate Elmo with every fiber of my being.  Just because Grover always has been and will forever be my favorite on Sesame Street.  When Elmo came along, all cute and lispy, he TOTALLY PUSHED GROVER OUT.

I will never forget.

However.  

This.  Is.  Hilarious.

Hell yeah there is

Newly formed White House Council on Women and Girls.

Obama:

"But at the same time, when women still earn just 78 cents for every dollar men make, when one in four women still experiences domestic violence in their lifetimes, when women are more than half of our population but just 17% of our Congress," he said before signing the order. "When women are 49% of the workforce but only 3% of our fortune 500 CEOs, when these inequalities stubbornly persist in this country in this century then I think we need to ask ourselves some hard question and we need to take a hard look at where were falling short and who were leaving out and what that means for the prosperity and the vitality of our nation."

Valerie Jarrett:

"The council is going to examine all the programs at the federal level that touch on women and girls and we're going to work to coordinate and make sure that each of those programs is doing everything that it could do to help support women and girls"

Kisses to Mankind

I won a free download, and just had to share!

Erin Loechner was kind enough to give away 10 free copies of the latest edition of Mankind Mag.  And I got one!  Eeee!

  

It.  Is.  Awesome.

I highly recommend checking it out.

Also her website, Design For Mankind, is amazing too.  It's the third one down on my humongo list o'blogs.

Etsy: Turned into Reality

Artwork Inspiration

For the Birds by Hadleyhutton

Wearable (DIY) Pieces

Vintage Lime Green Mini from Animalheadvintage

Spotty Blue Bird Iron On Patch by Tadpolecreations

Blue 9 West Pumps from Funkyfrugalfashions

File under "DUH"

Rush Limbaugh Wants To Know Why Women Hate Him

also see:

Limbaugh to convene a "female summit" 

Jean Garofalo discusses Limbaugh

The other Oscar

I don't usually follow Fashion, or keep up with designers' collections.  Or even pay attention to what comes down runways in whichever city for whatever season.

But...how could I miss Oscar de la Renta's Fall 2009 collection when it looked like this:

FABULOUS!  WANT! 

Oh, and also, a fair warning.  To everyone who will see me within the next year (or 5), don't be surprised if I'm rocking the upswept beehive.

For serious.

(photo source)

Not-So-Weekly Recipe

A quick tropical pull together.  It's become a usual around here lately...because well, it's hard to walk out of a grocery store in Hawaii without a pineapple.




Tropical Fruit Salad

ingredients:

1 large orange

2 cups grapes (any type would work, but green grapes add a nice bit of sourness to the sweet pineapple)

1 pineapple

directions:

1.  Slice grapes in half.  It's kinda a hassle to do all those grapes, but I think it makes it easier to eat with a fork.

2.  Peel and segment orange.  Cut into chunks.

3.  Dismantle the pineapple.  A fresh pineapple is worth the work.  Trust me.  Slice into bite size pieces.

4.  Add all fruit into a bowl.

This makes two huge helpings.  Or two regular helpings, and enough left over to go back and finish immediately.  Either way.

Enjoy!