Monday was a holiday

I REALLY didn't want to go back to work after my week-long vacation of holiday dinners, lunches with friends, and lying on the couch for mid-day naps.  The last day of my vacation was Monday, and my only request was to drive around the island.  I haven't done this in years, and I feel like I should do this more regularly.  It's such a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the surrounding beauty.  

Chinaman's Hat in the distance.   

I really wanted to have some shrimp from a shrimp truck in Kahuku.  There's shrimp farms aplenty, and lots of trucks along the way. Giovanni's had a mob of people that we were not willing to bare.  

Romy's had a ridiculously long wait for their food, so we decided to see what other trucks we could find. 

 Finally, we stopped at Fumi's.  No line.  We figured that shrimp is shrimp.  How different could it be? 

We got a spicy plate, and a garlic butter one.  These were $12 each.  Have I tasted better shrimp?  Probably.  As my dad said, "It's hard to mess up shrimp," but when in Kahuku, you just have to eat shrimp.  

For those of you who don't agree that "shrimp is shrimp," I found this YouTube video made by some local foodies, reviewing the different trucks.  Hard core.

 

This is where the shrimp swim.  A gold mine for shrimp truck owners.

The trek started in Kaneohe, and I decided to skip Hale'iwa, as waves were high and traffic was bad.  As we headed back into town, Bruce suggested that we stop in Aiea for shave ice.  We ended up at Samurai for soft serve.  This was a small strawberry/banana.  Huge and awesome!  I'm still kind of thinking about it.  I might have to stop by again this weekend.

Such a great day with my dad and Bruce.  My two favorite dudes.  Counting the days till my next vacation.

Samurai

99-115 Aiea Heights Dr
Honolulu, HI 96813

(808) 484-2200

New Year's Eve...

I thought I took more pictures on New Year's Eve, but I only took pictures of our lunch stop at Gulick and our family dinner later that night.  If you go to Gulick, get an extra big serving of the fried tofu. 

My usual order: teriyaki mahi, fried tofu, chow fun, and chiso musubi.

We were actually at Gulick to pick up maki and cone sushi for our New Year's Eve dinner feast at my mom's house.  Here's a shot of the said sushi, surrounded by tons of other food.

 Some champagne to celebrate at midnight.

Happy new year! Looking forward to getting in shape, saving some money, and traveling in the new year.  I think I may have said the same thing last year, but there's some renewed optimism with the start of 2012.

Gulick Delicatessen
1512 Gulick Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96819 
(808) 847-1461 ‎

Recent Instagram Shots...

Doggles for Adam.  Purchased at Bark Ave. in Koko Marina Shopping Center.

 Cool present that my nephew got for Christmas.  Perfect for Star Wars addicts of all ages...

 The neighbors gave us a box of these crazy cookies.  I am addicted and will be making plans to get them from the mainland next year.  I hear there's other seasonal flavors, too.  Yummay!

Bear with another Bark Ave. purchase.  Love that store.  Please support your locally owned businesses.  I did lots of Christmas shopping for the doggies in my family.

 Musubi wreath that gets hung every year. 

Red velvet pancakes from Yogur story.  

Addicted to Instagram.  Follow me on there @splitobsession.

Puppy Love

This daddy...



Plus this exhausted mommy...


Equals 2 tiny and adorable Norwich puppies...

Gingerbread Please...

 Sad, sad gingerbread...

 \

For the past 4 or 5 years, we've gotten a store-bought gingerbread house to decorate with the kids.  No one ever wanted to eat it, after it was done.  This year, my mom insisted on making her own individual gingerbread men, trees, and stars.  We had a contest, and my mom had prizes for the best-decorated.  The kids kicked our butts with their colorful, skittle-filled trees.  Hopefully, this will be our new tradition.

Here's my prize...

If you want some breakfast goodness...

Every local in Hawaii knows Liliha Bakery. They're known for their iconic cocoa puffs that are topped with chantilly frosting (note: everyone is happy if you bring them for dessert at a family gathering). We love breakfast at their super busy counter. Here's their famous butter roll with bright red jelly.




My usual order of mahimahi and eggs.



Delicious sweet bread French Toast.



Liliha Bakery
Phone
(808) 531-1651
Liliha Bakery
515 N. Kuakini Street
Honolulu, HI 96817


Hours
24 hours a day from Tuesday 6 a.m. to Sunday 8 p.m.
Closed Mondays.

New vintage treasures for sale on ebay NOW...

Lovely tea cups with bamboo design...SOLD

Vintage 70's aloha shirt from Sears...SOLD

Black and white Iolani Executive aloha shirt...SOLD

Vintage teapot with cool glaze...

Tori Richard blue and white aloha shirt...SOLD