Christmas Day

This Christmas was special to me and Wes because it is our first Christmas as a married couple. That means we can start new traditions!! We spent Christmas Eve just hanging out at home and watched Elf like we always do every Christmas (that's one of our favorite movies). Then on Christmas morning, I made Wes a yummy breakfast because he is after all the birthday boy! Then he opened his birthday gift from me and his family back home. We got him the Rosetta Stone in Japanese for Levels 1,2,3. He was sooo happy. Then we opened our gifts to each other. I have to admit something here...one of the things I got him was a really stupid, doghouse gift. I impulsively purchased, what I believed was a waffle maker, because Wes is after all the Master Breakfast Chef and his forte is pancakes and waffles. He opened all his gifts from me which so far, so good...then there it was, wrapped in a cute Christmas package...but little did he know what lay beneath it. He opened it and it was a sandwich maker!! I was sooo surprised because I swear I bought a waffle maker!! (I guess I didn't check carefully when I bought it and grabbed the wrong one) I told him it was supposed to be a waffle maker and he said that either way, it was a doghouse gift!! I felt bad but also thought it was amusing and we both laughed about it. In case you've never seen the "doghouse" or know what I'm talking about, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twivg7GkYts

Anyways, after we spent Christmas morning doing all that, we went over to my aunty Cindy's place in Hawaii Kai. The food was delicious! We had roast beef, au gratin, croquette, shrimp scampi, Esther's Chinese Chicken Salad, Shoyu Chicken and some other yummy stuff. We decided to do Secret Santa instead of White Elephant this year because it was more personalized. We each took turns opening our gifts and laughing at how appropriate they were for each person. Another fun thing we did was play BINGO. Everyone played and guess who won? Me, Wes and Justin!!! I won $20, Wes won $5 and Justin won $40!!! That was so much fun! After all the fun and games, we decided to play Cranium (BOYS vs. GIRLS). I hate to say it but we lost!!! TWICE!!! We demand a rematch next time!!!

My aunty Esther and mom cooking...

Everyone was here...except I don't know where my brother and his girlfriend went...also some relatives couldn't make it to Hawaii to celebrate...

Did you see the feast we had on Thanksgiving? We decided not to make so much this time...there's my au gratin on the left.

The Wong's Christmas tree...we will definitely have our own next year...

How appropriate...a calendar with Boxers on it...is this a hint or what? BTW, one of the things I got from my Secret Santa was a calendar with Bulldogs on it...someone's hinting us to get a dog!!

Merry Christmas!!

Let's just ignore the fact that I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas after the fact...I was supposed to post this on Christmas day but better late than never right? Besides, I really wanted to show you guys my new Nutcracker! Isn't he adorable...hmm...what should I name him...

Hope your holidays are merry and bright!

Wes' Birthday Cake

The night before Christmas and Wes' birthday, I decided to make him a birthday cake (even though I was under the weather). I found another great recipe on Smitten Kitchen for a Brownie Cheesecake with Ganache sauce. Here it is http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/08/alexs-choice/
It was the first time that I actually baked something besides instant brownies and chocolate chip cookies...I mean ganache sauce...when have I ever made that? It sounds so fancy and I feel sooooo accomplished!! The best thing is that everyone loved it!!! I had to make two because it would have needed to feed at least 20 people...and leftover dessert...who doesn't like that?

Anyways, there are a few things in the recipe that I skipped because it was just easier that way...for instance, I didn't make brownies from scratch but used a mix and also, I didn't make my own crust...I bought the pre-made graham crackers crust. But you know what? It still tasted delicious and it saved me time!


The candles were melting way too fast...Here's the happy Birthday boy and his cake made with lots of love!!

Christmas shopping

Have you finished your Christmas shopping? I just have one person left --- my hubby! I already know what to get him but am dreading fighting the traffic and the crowds at the mall. I was soooo good about getting all the gifts, some before Thanksgiving, even. But, I saved the best for the last and now I just have to suck it up and do it! T-3 days...I hope your Christmas shopping is going well...I hope you're almost done!!

Visitors from Japan

When I first heard that my former co-worker in Japan was going to visit with her family, I was so excited!! She's from the U.S. but has been living in Japan for the past 10 or more years. I first met her at Temple University, Japan where I had also just started working. This woman can talk, read and write Japanese fluently!! Way better than me! She did study it and lived their for a long time but still, I was very impressed. We quickly became very good friends and would take the 1 hour and 20 minute commute back home together since we were on the same train line. We would go out after work on some nights to our favorite yakiniku (Korean bbq) place called AnAn which was a very cheap place to eat and drink. Nicole and I have kept in touch and she was bringing her son that just turned 14 months that I had never met with her.

We met on Saturday and the plan was to have lunch and go to the Waikiki Aquarium. I met Nicole, her sister, dad and mom and we had lunch at Halekulani's House Without a Key (one of my favorite places to take out of town visitors). Her son's name is Oscar Kenzo Anzai and he is adorable. He's a big hapa (half Japanese, half Caucasian) boy who weighs 25 pounds! He was a cutie pie and a very smiley, happy baby! After lunch, we went back to their hotel so that Oscar could take a shower since he was getting heat rash. Then Nicole decided to give him a nap because he was tired. I didn't mind hanging out in her room at all. We just talked and talked and talked for the next few hours catching up on the last 2 years that we hadn't seen each other. When Oscar woke up, we played and then it was dinner time. Her family ordered pizza and we ate it oudoors by the pool and tennis courts. Then we went back upstairs and hung out until Wes came around 8pm. Nicole put Oscar down for the night and we went out to Tiki's Bar and Grill for a few drinks. It was so much fun to hang out with them all day and I was so happy that we were able to do that. It sounds like Nicole and her family plan to make this a tradition and meet in Hawaii as a half-way point for the holidays. Yay, that means I get to see her again! Nicole - I hope you had a great time here with your family! I enjoyed hanging out and look forward to more visits! Kentaro - we missed you but hope you come too the next time. Maybe we will see you in Japan!!



Many attempts to get Oscar to look at the camera!

Not this time...

Yay! Finally a good shot!!

Wes' 30th Birthday Party

Wes' birthday is really on Dec.25th. Yes, he has a Christmas birthday...and so we figured that people might be busy to come over for a birthday celebration on that day (ya think?) and decided to celebrate sooner (this may turn into a tradition). I really wanted to cook him something special and delicious so I decided to go with a French theme. I found a great recipe on Smitten Kitchen (if you've never been on her blog, you have got to check it out!!) and decided to make coq au vin (Chicken in wine) as I've always wanted to try that. The only dilemma was that we had a vegetarian family coming over as well and I didn't know what to make that was a main dish that was French. After a few days of asking Wes what I should make, I finally decided on au gratin! After all, who doesn't like cheese and potatoes?

The party was on Saturday night but I started cooking on Friday night. It took me 3 hours to make coq au vin!! The recipe didn't indicate this but I did cook the chicken longer than it called for (which I thought made it taste better). The recipe asked for cognac which I didn't have so I checked quickly online to find a good substition - did you know that pear, apricot or peach juice works? It was 9:53pm and Wholefoods closed at 10pm so you know who went to get it (not me!)
What a great guy! He brought back pear juice and stopped at Longs and bought a small bottle of cognac (why didn't I think of that?) At 11pm, it was officially done! The sauce was really yummy and I was really excited to see what it would taste like the next day!! I cooked a few more hours on Saturday and this is what we had: Coq au vin with mashed potatoes, au gratin, bread with EVOO and for dessert, we had homemade brownies and Haagen Daaz Vanilla Ice Cream! Everything was soooo yummy! I was so happy that everyone enjoyed their meal and commented on the chicken which really did taste delicious. We even used some fine china!! It was a great meal with great company and Wes and I had a great time!

Here is where I got the recipe for Coq au Vin: http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/12/magnificence-au-vin/

Au gratin with bechamel sauce - before it was cooked.

My new favorite dish: Coq au Vin with mashed potatoes and garlic with mushrooms and onions.

Our friends...can you tell that someone is pregnant in this picture and ready to pop anytime?? (Not me!) She looks great!!!

New Design - Inspirational Necklace Set

Check out my latest design...the Inspirational Necklace Set comes with 4 sterling silver hand stamped charms with inspirational words and Swarovski crystals in Black Diamond (Happiness), Mocca (Love), Crystal Gold (Dream) and Light Topaz (Believe - not pictured with a chain). This is perfect for a friend, loved one, mom, sister or anyone who would appreciate wearing different charms depending on their mood!! The entire set consists of 4 charms and one 16" or 18" sterling silver necklace. If the necklaces were purchased separately, it would cost $140 but the set costs only $90!! Individual necklaces are $35 each.Sterling silver necklace hand stamped with "Happiness" with a Black Diamond Swarovski crystal - Individual pieces are $35 each.

Sterling silver necklace hand stamped with "Love" with a Mocca Swarovski crystal - Individual pieces are $35 each.

Sterling silver necklace hand stamped with "Dream" with a Crystal Gold Swarovski crystal - Individual pieces are $35 each.

Inspirational Necklace Set with "Happiness," "Love," "Dream," "Believe" and one 16" or 18" sterling silver chain for $90.

Thanksgiving

I know that this post is kinda late but that's okay right? Well we had a huge feast for Thanksgiving. We all went over to my Aunty Cindy's house in Hawaii Kai and did it potluck style so that there was no pressure on one person. Cindy made the 22 pound turkey (that was the smallest they had) and stuffing. I brought over real mashed potatoes with garlic, a green bean casserole and an apple-pumpkin pie from Cafe Laufer that Shell gave us - it was delish!! My mom brought over some salmon and Japanese vegetable dishes - kabotcha (pumpkin), sprouts, brocolli, hasu (lotus root) and some other stuff - not your usual Thanksgiving dish but hey, it's good and it's healthy! My Aunty Irene brought over a huge honey glazed ham and made a smoked salmon appetizer. Justin and Rhea brought over a crab salad. There was way too much food and though I stacked my plate with heaps of it, I could not even finish half...I was just not hungry. We did go shopping the next day. Cindy, Alex and I were at Ala Moana by 9:30am and we already saw people leaving the mall!! Irene and the rest of our cousins met us and we had dim sum for lunch. I bought tons of stuff on sale and got most of my Christmas shopping (for myself! just kidding!) done! Now I know what it means to shop til you drop...we stayed at the mall until 4pm and were soooo EXHAUSTED! Wes is lucky he had to work - he was spared. Poor Alex, an 11 year old boy and shopping with the girls! Props to you!

My Hawaii family minus my sister and her boyfriend and Aunty Esther, Uncle Frankie and cousins Reimy and Leina.

It's midnight and I found a new design!

I was just playing around with my jewelry tonight and look what I made!! I love these!! I'm too excited to go to sleep... "XOXO" hand stamped sterling silver necklace - $29

1/2" Sterling silver "XO" necklace with a Swarovski crystal of your choice. Other colors are available. The SS chain is 18" but can be substituted with 16"(+$0) or 20" (+$3). - $31

Make this personalized with the initials of your loved ones and keep them close to your heart. One 1/2" ss disc hand stamped with an initial and Swarovski crystal or pearl of your choice with chain- $31. Additional discs for $5 each.

New items to my collection...

Despite all the time spent reading this weekend, I guess you could say I was semi-productive...
These items can be personalized with a name instead... DREAM necklace - $35

HAPPINESS necklace with flat fresh water pearl - $35

BELIEVE earrings - $29

HAPPINESS earrings with bronze fresh water pearl - $29

LOVE earrings with fresh water pearl - $29

10 hours of reading...

I read two books in 10 consecutive hours, starting yesterday around 3pm and finishing this morning at 3am. Couldn't put them down... Needless to say that I didn't get much done around the house and I'm tempted to pick up the third book that I got this weekend through Amazon. The only thing stopping me is knowing that I have to work on my jewelry today since I didn't do any yesterday. I loved both books but think I might like Emily Giffin's books more. I first read "Something Borrowed" which is really a prelude to "Something Blue" and I highly recommend both. They're not intellectual, make you think books (that's another post but I do have some great recommendations there too!) They are just light-hearted, chick-books for entertainment, and the perfect read on a rare rainy day like yesterday! I'll have to read more of Sophie Kinsella's books for a better comparison of the two authors, but both books were a fun read.

I can handle a gun!!

Where's the 3rd Charlie's Angel? Ayako and her hubby

Wes shooting a gun of some sort...

My friend Ayako and her husband were visiting from Japan on their honeymoon. Wes and I took them to dinner and drinks at the Beach Bar in the Moana Surfrider. The food is okay, but if you've never been there, it's the atmosphere that you go for. It's under a HUGE Banyan tree and right on the beach. Anyways, they wanted to go to a gun club because they could never shoot a gun in Japan. We were totally down as I had never been and called my brother who used to work at one part-time. The owner hooked us up with 50% off the regular price and we got to do our thing!

Winter Chicken Soup

The weather in Hawaii is getting noticeably cooler - though we're probably still looking at the 70s-80s. There's supposed to be a storm headed our way! Yikes! Anyways, I was in the mood for some soup, partly because of the weather and partly because Wes and I are fighting a cold.
It was simple and yummy and hit the spot.

Here's the recipe for my Winter Chicken Soup:

Organic bunch of carrots, peels and diced
4-5 Yukon gold potatoes, diced into 1/2" cubes
2 sweet onions, diced into 1/2" cubes
Organic chicken thighs (I used boneless, skinless) - have it salt and peppered, prior to adding to pan
3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 cans light sodium chicken broth
**cabbage, optional - I didn't have this available but it's really yummy with.
S&P
EVOO (for those of you who don't know, extra virgin olive oil.

Directions:
1. Heat frying pan on high, add evoo.
2. Crush garlic with knife, add to pan.
3. Add chicken (skin side down if it's not skinless) - let it be for a few minutes, let brown.
4. Cut veggies above as needed and have it ready.
5. Turn chicken on it's other side.
6. Once browned, add onions and carrots and bring heat down to med. Mix around.
7. Add chicken broth, bring back to high heat, add potatoes and cabbage
8. If it's not enough broth, add another or just add water (which is what I do)
9. Bring to boil, cover and reduce to medium heat and let cook.
10. Salt and pepper to taste, take off lid and just let simmer some more.

Enjoy! BTW, my measurements are always approximate because I do not measure things. Just add taste slowly because you can always add more and taste along the way.

Be sure to check this blog regularly for more recipes! Feel free to share your recipes with me too!

L-O-V-E Necklace - a new design!

My newest design! The sterling silver discs are 1/2" (compared to my other necklaces that are bigger at 7/8") and spell out LOVE! It hangs from an 18" sterling silver ball chain. Isn't it so cute?! I can spell out other words too. This item sells for $39. Customized/personalized items start at $27 for one disc and chain with each additional disc at $5 each.

You asked for it, you got it!

What's that? That's right...earrings! For those who don't or can't wear necklaces, this is the perfect solution! They can, of course be customized so just let me know. If you want to see something that I have yet to create - feel free to let me know!

Sterling silver earrings, "LOVE" and "FAITH" with flat diamond freshwater pearls - $29. This item can be personalized.

My favorite pieces so far!

Not to toot my own horn but... I LOVE how these turned out!! They match in every way and the colors just compliment each other. I would say that these are the most popular ones. These would look good on anyone and compliment just about any skin tone.

One of my most popular designs: Sterling silver necklace with a fresh water pearl on a 16" sterling silver (SS) chain. This item can be personalized - $35

Sterling silver necklace with a round Swarovski crystal ball in "dark" (yes, it looks like a pearl) on a 16" ss chain. This item can be personalized. - $35

Sterling silver necklace "LOVE" with a round Swarovski crystal ball in "Silver" with 16" ss chain.- $35. This item can be personalized.

Sterling silver necklace with a round Swarovski crystal ball in "Pearl" with a 16" ss chain. This item can be personalized. - $35

Another popular design - Sterling silver necklace "Faith" with a flat diamond freshwater pearl (also comes in a flat round one) with a 16" ss chain - $35. This item can be personalized.

**I can pretty much do anything - names, dates, words, initials on any of these - just let me know what you want!

"You and I" necklace

I just had to do this! It's such a simple thing yet says so much! I love it! Obviously this works because our names can be shortened but I can just do initials like "J&W" in the center or spell out your names around the edge of the necklace. Oh, I have numbers too! Whoopee!