Halloween fever...again

Here is Ryan again... He learned this prayer at All SAints CAtholic SChool back in Puyallup. A school we still love and miss. This is the Prayer they would say before school. He still likes to say it before dinner. Andrew says the dinner prayer. Ryan is stuck on saying this particular one. I think it's cute.

The Coral Queen on Kaneohe Bay

The Coral Queen is a 40 year old glass-bottom boat that takes people out on Kaneohe Bay to see the coral reef and underwater aquatic life. It was really interesting. I loved how old the vessel was; something very vintage and charming about it. The kids loved it!
Although it was raining and windy we still managed to get out and see and feed lots of fish. They must see the ol' boat coming a mile away and swarm it for the bread we were given to throw out. I can't imagine how great the fish would all look in the bright sunshine. Honestly, this has been the few full days of rain since we moved here a year ago!
We also saw sea turtles bobbing their heads up.
It was so neat to see a real living coral reef through the glass bottom viewing ports.
We went out about 2 miles and passed the island that was filmed on the original Gilligans Island. I had to laugh... The young Hawaiian boat guide said "And some of you OLDER folks" might remember the show Gilligans Island..."
All I have to say is WHERE did the tall coconut palms go on the island?! (Its the pic of the island with the small (tiny) blue twin-hulled boat on the left side)
Click on each image to make it larger

A Bucketfull of Octopus (Octopi?)

After a long rainy day out in Kaneohe Bay we were leaving the marina when a fisherman showed us his catch of the day; about 4 octopus that he had speared (awww, poor octopus, I know...) They were still alive and very suction-cuppy! The kids all stuck their hands in and thought it was so great that long tentacles were sticking and attaching themselves to them.
The Octopus were fluctuating colors (clearly stressed) and it was amazing to see them up so close and see the color patterns and how it worked.
I imagine they are Tako Poke about now.
Click on image to make it larger

Halloween Fever has struck

This was dinner the other night. Seriously, the kid would sleep with this costume on. He did manage to take off the mask to eat though...

Awesome Squash recipe (Thai style)~sort of

O.K. so, I am sitting in a waiting room and the magazines suck... seriously... There was a magazine with Paula Deen on the cover and it was CURRENT! Seriously, I have seen Readers DIgest from 1988 laying on end tables. Christopher Reeves was still alive in one!
So, in this Paula Deen clad magazine the queen of southern cooking herself, the diva of deep-frying butter (How is that possible?) had a few recipes... IS this one of her's? No, its not.
This recipe is healthy and awesome. If you like the thai flavor with Lime, chiles, sugar, sweet, heat and sour (lime) try this. Of course my kids hate it so you know adults will like it.
Here it is

1- butternut Squash cut in half, scoop out seeds, peel off rind with vegetable peeler and slice in 1 inch long slices. Take and cut those strips into 1-1/2 inch pieces.
1/4 c. canola oil.
1- 2 inch piece of fresh GINGER, peeled and minced.
1 Jalepeno Pepper, seeded and chopped (or red chile).
1/2 tsp. CUMIN seeds.
1/4 tsp. CAYENNE pepper.
1-1/2 tsp SUGER.
1 tsp. SALT.
1 T. LIME JUICE

Heat oil in the WOK or large frying pan to Med-High
add:
Ginger
Jalepeno
Cumin Seeds
Cayenne Pepper

Let spatter and cook for about 45 seconds (not too long or it will scorch, just enough to flavor the oil)
Add squash and stir to coat with oil.
Stir in sugar and salt.
Reduce heat to Med.
Cover and cook until squash is just tender, about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in lime juice.
Mush squash slightly w/ spoon to break up some of the pieces, if desired.
Season to taste.
4-6 servings
229 cal., 14g fat., 0 cholesterol, 591 sodium, 5g fiber (go fiber!!) 2 g. protein.

Dru and Ry get the Camera

Chacka..and oooh so cool....hah!! I love it when I get these surprises on my camera!

Kiddo's

Mayehm and too much leather furniture... Baggy ol' leathery things..It could make a vegetarian quake in his boots!
Maybe if the kids keep jumping all over it it will finally fall apart? I can only hope...

The kiddo's and friends

Ry and Kylie entertaining themselves eating deep-fried stuff...

Mom and Dad visit

With Mitz at the kitty resort Bob and Glor made it out and we were thrilled to spend time with them! Beaches, Luaus, North Shore waves and lots of Time spent out at the Arizona, Missouri, Bowfin and the air museum! Phew~ I think Grandma and Grandpa will need a vacation from their vacation!
A nice view from our table at Jameson's by the Sea.

Oktoberfest!

Ziggy Zuggy! Ziggy Zuggy! Oy! Oy! Oy! (and if your Roxanne, throw an EXTRA Oy! in there :-)

We had a blast that night...pitchers of Farfenbeer and plates of Vienerschnoodle's at table #0. Seriously, the 4 of us sat a a single wide table facing the wall.
Riiiiicola! Chickendanceing..and some dude had a rubber chicken hanging on his belt! Hah!!
Troy was beaten in a beer drinking contest by a cheater! Das Cheater!
Apple bottom jeans with the boots with the furrrrrr.....

Dean and Liz Visit!!

He flew all the way from Rwanda and boy were his arms tired!.... Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck.
"We all had a blast and Liz is a riot!"