Happy Howl-oween!

My lil Ewok =)

To ward off vampires I made Pumpkin and Sausage Pasta and Basil Garlic Bread. I meant to snap a few pictures but the "ghouls" I had over gobbled it up right quick.

USO presents Hoops for Troops

I am 5' and he is 7'4"!

Here is a snippet of my story that ran in this week's Hawaii Army Weekly:

The sound of sneakers squeaking against the gym floor at the Martinez Physical Fitness Center, filled the gymnasium as more than 100 eager children got the opportunity to learn from their basketball idols, Oct. 27.

Later that evening, more than 2,500 screaming fans filled the bleachers as Soldiers took to the court and got the opportunity to show NBA players what they are made of.

Nine of today’s biggest names in basketball “hooped” it up with troops and children stationed in Hawaii as part of the “Hoops for Troops” USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour, Oct. 23-28.

Making the journey across the Pacific were Chicago point guard Derrick Rose; Sacramento guard Tyreke Evans; center-forward Al Horford and guard Joe Johnson, both of the Atlantic Hawks; Charlotte point guard D.J. Augustin; New Jersey center Brook Lopez; Phoenix center Robin Lopez; Washington center JaVale McGee; and Miami forward Mike Miller.

“This has been a great experience for me, and I never thought I would get the opportunity to be a part of something like this,” Augustin said. “It’s definitely not what it looks like in the movies or on TV, and we owe (service members) a lot.”

During the weeklong tour, NBA players led two youth clinics for kids ages 9-17, toured military facilities on island and played one-on-one with service members.

Most of the time, Soldiers were matched up with each other, but occasional cross-matches had the crowd on its feet and cheering for its overmatched-but-enthusiastic military comrades.

The pros clearly weren’t worried about getting injured, going hard to the rim, dunking the ball and putting on quite a show of athleticism for fans.

Many of the league’s top players have played in similar goodwill games across the country, due to the NBA lockout. The season would have started Tuesday.

Taking full advantage of the spare time, the USO partnered with East West Private, a Cincinnati-based global market expansion firm that aims to serve as a bridge between international and U.S. based companies, and with the Wasserman Media Group, a sports marketing and entertainment company with global expertise in athlete management, consulting, media rights, partnership and business development and action sports, to make this tour possible.

To also show support for America’s armed forces, Wilson Sporting Goods donated 200 basketballs, Adidas provided 90 polos and Carson Wrapped Hershey’s Chocolates contributed hundreds of candy bars for the players to distribute to military families.

“Supporting our military has always been important to me,” Rose said, while signing autographs and posing for photos with his young fans. “It is an honor for me to be able to give back to those who give us so much.

“This is the first time I’ve been on a military base, and it’s been great,” Rose continued, as fans chanted “M-V-P.” “I know everybody’s happy that we’re here, and we’re happy to be here.”

Here are some of my fav. shots:

In their first USO tour, “Hoops for Troops,” a group of eight basketball stars, including Miami Heat guard Mike Miller (left) and 2011 league MVP and Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (second from left), held a youth clinic, Oct. 27.

Derek Rose

Blocked!

Intense!

Ball work.

"Alooooo-Haaaaa!"

From down town! Swiiish!

Sizing up the pro!

To see all 600 photos check out the Flickr  site!

No Words Wednesday

Never Daunted Halloween Costume Favs

Betty Crocker

Minnie

So creative!

Pineapple, because he was born in Hawaii!

Love these two crazy SNL kids!

Oww Oww!

Fab-u-lous Drea!

Winning... DUH!

Frankenstein's tween-ager!

Dessert Ménage à Trois

What happens when cookie dough, Oreos and brownies hook up?

Sinful but AMAZING!

Overage

My car's A/C started acting funny while I was enroute to drop Chris off at the airport on Monday. It started off cold, but as soon as I dropped him off, I felt hot air coming out of it.

I thought nothing of it and turned it off and decided to take in some fresh air on my way to work.

The same thing happened on my way home, so I called my Mazda dealership and they told me to bring it on Friday. Which, was the only day they had open and the only day I could bring it in because I work Monday-Friday.

When I dropped it off on Friday morning, the guy taking care of me said this would be covered under my extended warranty. “Sweet deal,” I thought to myself.

Then he turned the car on and read my mileage: 75, 030.

I was over my 30 miles so I would have to pay out of pocket to the tune of $500! Really!?

He urged me to call Mazda to see I could persuade them otherwise. No such luck. Even after I explained that the only day Mazda could take my car in was Friday and my husband was in Korea and I had to drive the car to and from work, still nada.

The woman on the other end of the phone was quite snarky and even said it didn’t matter if I was only one mile over, and that I could have had the car towed to Mazda before my mileage expired. I wasn’t looking for a handout, just some customer loyalty since I own the darn thing.

Shut.The.Front.Door! I couldn’t believe she had the audacity to be so rude.

Morale of the story, don’t buy a Mazda next time.

Bake-a-Pa-looza

With Chris gone, my boredom set in and I found myself fully immersed in cookie baking mode.

I had pinned quite a few cookie recipes and I made a promise to myself that I would actually MAKE the stuff I was pinning.

With that being said I decided to bake S’more Chocolate Chip Cookies and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. I also vowed to take Chris’s absence as a time to focus on myself aka WORK OUT, so having these sweet treats at home was not my best idea. However, the battalion was having their Halloween party Friday and I could put all the baked goodies in a basket and pass them out as part of my costume: Betty Crocker!

Both cookie recipes were both easy to make and I had all the ingredients in my pantry so I didn’t need to dash out to the store to pick up any ingredients. That usually puts a buzzkill on my cooking/baking mode.

First I made the Pumpkin Chocolate Chips ones. Man were they good. More cakey than cookie, but with a glass of milk they were yummy.

I am kind of obsessed with S’mores these days so it was only fitting for me to make S’more Chocolate Chip cookies. The ingredients were very similar to a traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe, however this one called for crushed up graham crackers and to top the cookies with mini marshmallows and broken up Hershey Bar pieces midway through the baking process.

Step 1.

Step 2: Top with mini marshmallows and Hershey Bar pieces.

Ta-Daa!

Both experiments were a success because they were all gobbled up at the Halloween party =)

Fancy spuds

Did you know that if you fancy slice potatoes and roast them with butter and oil they’re called Hasselback Potatoes?

Where have these spuds been all my life?

These are a great company fake out because they look super shi shi but they are hellza easy! These are my new go-to baked potato for sure.

The low down:

Slice into russet potatoes and put thin slivers of garlic into the cuts.

Place a pat of butter on each one and sprinkle them with salt and EVOO.

After an hour of roasting and basting at 425, the potatoes are tender and buttery with a crisp, crunchy skin.

A-MA-ZING!

Chicken dinner

Chicken, crispy bacon and cheese are three of my favorite things and they come together to make an easy weeknight dinner: Bacon Wrapped Chicken. I always tend to have chicken breasts and bacon in the freezer and cream cheese has a pretty long shelf life, so I didn’t have to run to the store to make this. This recipe is great for a family but it can do single serving duty as well (not that I’m not going to make enough for seconds…) and I adapted it to fit my needs while my hubby is away.

What you’ll need:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded thin
4 oz of cream cheese doctored up with a few tablespoons of powdered ranch dressing mix
2-4 slices of bacon
salt (to taste)
2 tablespoons butter

The low down:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Between 2 sheets of wax paper/plastic wrap/or in a plastic bag with a mallet flatten chicken breasts to ½” thickness.
Evenly distribute the cream cheese over each chicken breast. Then dot with butter and season with salt and pepper.

Wrap with bacon and stick a toothpick through the rolled chicken breast to hold it together.

Roll up and stick a toothpick through to hold it together.
Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes (or until juices run clear).Turn on the broiler and broil six inches from the heat for 5 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.

Step 1: Spread Ranch cream cheese on seasoned, pounded chicken breasts.

Roll 'em up.

Rap 'em in bacon and bake!

I am a big fan of simple pasta dishes. I am terrible about just cooking enough for dinner, so I always end up with several days’ lunches.

This pasta – a big mess of roasted zucchini, garlic and onion tossed with pasta, fresh basil and Parmesan – can stand on its own. But it’s like first grade without the glitter. That’s why I am serving it along side the bacon wrapped chicken.

What you’ll need:

2 medium zucchini, trimmed, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds

1 small sweet vidalia onion or 1 shallot, thinly sliced

3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 boxpenne or ziti, dry, preferably whole grain

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 grated pecorino romano cheese

The low down:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and put your baking sheet in there as well (just make sure its dry! This will make sure the zucchini gets nice and crispy!). 

Toss zucchini, onion, garlic, salt and pepper and enough olive oil in the bowl to coat.

Spread into a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. 

Roast until zucchini is lightly browned, turning once, 15 to 20 minutes.

In the meantime, prepare the pasta according to the package directions.

Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking liquid before draining the pasta.

Return pasta to pot and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a handful of cheese.

Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta.

Add 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, and stir over medium heat until heated through.

Add basil and cheese. Toss, adding reserved cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls to moisten if dry. 

Voila!

Bon voyage!

I am pretty used to Chris leaving, (we have been together for seven years and doing the military thing for the last five years) but I still get weepy when ever I drop him off.

I count my blessing everyday and I know how lucky I am that he is only gone for either a few weeks-45 days every now and then v. a 12 month deployment. However, I still get sad when I know he is leaving.  

We have yet to have a “deployment,” but I know one is looming somewhere down the line for us. So far Chris has traveled to Thailand, New Mexico and now to Korea for his second exercise. He just found he will be visiting Mongolia in the New Year. I am happy he gets to see the world, but jealous because I don't get to tag along.

Even though I am used to him leaving, doesn’t make him leaving any easier. What makes it more manageable is having a job, Oakley and a great support system of friends to make the time pass by.

Here is to the next 30 days!

While the cat is away….

What helps me pass the time while Chris is away is staying busy! Between work, grad school and the dog, you would think I have my hands full enough as it is.

Wrong.

I like being so busy that I almost cant cram enough stuff into one day. Really gets the adrenaline pumping and my inner competitor fire up. For me, it’s like a contest between my to-do-list and myself. I like to see how much I can accomplish in one day.

I know. I am sick. But that’s the way, uh huh a huh I like it…

In no particular order:

• Re-organize the garage
• Clean out my office: my desk and closet
• Reorganize closets and drawers
• Frame photos
• Make photo albums
• Try on bridesmaid dresses
• Stick to my budget aka no impulse buys
• Try the crafts I have pinned on Pinterest
• Make the foods I have pinned on Pinterest
• Mani/Pedi
• Create a better recycling system for cans, plastic and glass

What’s for dinner this week?

Monday- Grilled NY Strip, with loaded, twice baked potatoes , steamed veggies and S’more Croissants for dessert (more about these bad boys later). Chris’ last meal before Korea =(

Tuesday- Mickey chicken nugs and waffle fries to cheer me up since Chris is gone.

Wednesday- Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Roasted Zucchini Pasta.

Thursday- Hasselback potatoes. Yes I am just eating starch for dinner.

Friday- Spaghetti with garlic bread crumbs, olive oil, parsley, and lemon juice and Baked Garlic Shrimp .

Saturday- Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells 

Sunday- Lemon Chicken , Smashed Potatoes and Ooey Gooey via crockpot

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Out of the kindness of their hearts, the battalion commander, and his wife, threw a luncheon to show their support for all the battalion’s volunteers.

I don’t volunteer my time because I know it looks good for Chris’s career (or to be recognized), I do it because I truly like helping out and feeling like part of a team. For me volunteering is fun! Plus many hands make for light work and more fun!

Attitude of Gratitude

Battle Buddies- I am so blessed to have a solid group of gal pals, both near and afar. They are always willing to lend an ear when I need to vent, a quick to put me in check and I always take their words of wisdom to heart.


Fall Foods- Living in Hawaii where it's summer year round (not complaining) a pumpkin spiced latte makes me feel warm inside.


Oakley- Even on my worst day, he seems to make me smile.


Chris- He makes me want to be a better me everyday. He is my rock. He is my lobster.

Happy Birthday!

Happy, Happy Birthday to the woman who taught me everything: My momma!

I am so bummed I couldn’t be there to celebrate, so have an extra piece of cake for me =)

Bad Dog!

I was on my way to pick up our garbage pail (Thursday is garbage pick up where we live) when I spotted a small white dog, with a color on, walking around with no owner in sight. Being an animal lover, I knew I had to catch him and find his owners. I would want someone to do the same if Oakley ever got loose. I knew taking the time to carral him would make me late for work, but I wouldn’t be able to live with myself If he got really lost, or worse yet, hit by a car.

Luckily one of the neighborhood kids was on his way to school when he spotted me trying to call the dog over. He knew the dog’s name, Bruno, and where he lived, just up the street, and offered to help me, whew! After a few unsuccessful attempts (read we would get just close enough to grab ‘em and then he would dart away!) the lightbulb when off in my head (hey it happens) and I went back inside to get Oakley’s spare leash and some dog treats to lure him in.

My idea work, and Bruno came over to get a treat but he could read my intentions from a mile away and he bit my finger trying to get the treat and run and then scratched my leg when I tried to leash him! In the wrestling match my glasses fell to the ground and with a dog all-up-in-my-face I stepped on them!

Foxtrot. Mike. Lima.

Also during the tassel I got my work outfit dirty (sprinklers on+paws=muddy blouse and pants). Now I was going to be SUPER late and my glasses were broken. Ugh! Just as I had grabbed hold of good ‘ole Bruno his owner drove by. Talk about timing. As soon as the owner called his name in that tone, you know the you-are-in-deep-trouble tone, Bruno laid down and LET his owner pick him up. The owner was super thankful and even though I was annoyed, I am glad I helped, because I would want someone to go through the hassle for my dog because dogs are more than pets. They are family members. 

Epic Weekend Roundup

Now that the glitter has settled, the alcohol is out of our systems and our knees and feet are back on speaking terms with the rest of our bodies, it’s time for a Lady’s Night recap:

1. Nina and I had a room service picnic.
2. I jumped from bed to bed and made sheet angels... sober!
3. We all “loobed” up our legs with Glide.
4. Made our hibachi chef feel like a Top Chef.
5. Started a cooking feud.
6. Random Japanese tourists at the grill across from us took our pictures.
7. Kim F. is really good at whistling.
8. Fist pumping has taken over Hawaii.
9. Nina is a dancing machine.
10. Rose has moves for days and cannot handle BJ shots.
11. Pam is great a chair dancing.
12. Shannan is the best purse sitter ever.
13. Andrea is a secret freak.
14. Kim F. really wanted someone to dance on the boxes.
15. In case you didn’t know, Kerri works for Disney.
16. Jumping up and down is indeed a dance move.
17. We made LOTS of new friends including a Japanese man named Mako that we helped come out of his shell so much that he danced on the boxes sans his button up shirt.
18. My strapless bra hurt so much I took it off, hid it in the tampon box in the bathroom and at the end of the night retrieved it and shoved it in Nina’s purse.
19. When I went up to the bar to order a drink I told the bartender that I had a tab to which he replied, “Congratulations.”
20. I took my shoes of and did not get worms.
21. Kerri gets scary past 2 a.m. when her NY comes out.
22. During the cab ride home Kerri (in her NY voice) made sure the driver knew where we were going and that our hotel was just a few miles down the road on the right.
23. We had a hallway party at 3:30 a.m. because our keys did not work for the 5^th time even though I told the front desk it was the door not the keys.
24. Our hallway party woke the neighbor and she stuck her head out the door to tell us to hang out somewhere else. Meanwhile she was Buck Naked!
25. Kerri “lost it” all over the bathroom door.
26. Kerri, Nina and I all slept in a king size bed.
27. Kim F. and Pam were wide awake and chipper by 8 a.m. while Kerri and I looked and felt like death.
28. I “lost it” after attempting to brush my teeth.
29. Mcyd’s and Cool Ranch Doritoes were our saving grace.
30. Best. Night. Ever.

Breathe. Stretch. Shake. Let it Go.

After some weekend drama — that I am still trying to wrap by brain around — this old school song from Mase (Brings me back to middle school. Whatever happened to him anyway? Ugh, sorry, I keep getting distracted) is my new mantra.

Breathe.

Stretch,

Shake.

Let it go.

Say it with me now…

Breathe.

Stretch,

Shake.

Let it go.

Yeah I am THAT person.

Heey Laaadies

After an eventful Friday night (read my previous post) I knew this weekend could only get better. A midnight shower and a hair appointment later, I swear I still smelled like lagoon.

With my hair quaffed and my overnight bag packed, myself and three other fierce Army wives headed into Waikiki to check into the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We looked into a limo initially to drive us around, but a hotel party sounded like a better deal and WAY more fun.

Nina and I had a room service picnic.

A hand selected group of ladies got together to farewell one of our own and to let our hair down after a hectic summer. It was a much needed release.

My Fav. Philipina! The 84th misses you!

Five of us bunked up in two nice adjoining rooms and we got the party started with cocktails, room service and club jams. It felt like college all over again.

Dressed to kill, I called for a cab and when we got downstairs our ride to dinner turned out to be a limo. How fun! Although it was a short ride, we all made the best of and rolled into the parking lot in style.

In a limo!

Stylin.

Rollin' up in style!

The rest of the group met us at the restaurant, Tanka of Toyko, a tapanyaki restaurant, where our shenanigans ensued. To keep details on a need to know basis, lets just say we made the chef’s night ;)

Fueled up and feelin’ it, we moved onto da club: The Pearl. It was a really nice joint. Felt very lounge like and the atmosphere was for the grown and sexy. Very fitting =) The ladies wasted no time getting down and we danced the night away, literally. We didn’t leave the club like 3:30!

We partied like rock stars and paid for it all weekend. Thank God Monday was a holiday! I for one needed two days to recover, but it was so worth it. I am so lucky to have such an amazing support group and I am blessed to call these women my battle buddies.

Love these ladies! Shannan (the one in the pink) just found out she is expecting =)

Abandon…CANOE!

The first have of my Friday was great and it was about to get better because a bunch of us were headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center for the Haunted Lagoon. It’s kind of a haul to get there (read it’s on the other side of the island and there is only one way to get there, driving the perimeter of the North Shore which takes about 45 minutes), but after last year’s inaugural visit, I was hooked.

I was really impressed how they transformed the place and all the costumes were great.

However, this ride was WAY different than last year for sure.

After walking through the 3D haunted house, which was a new feature, the eight of were sat in the front of the 30 or so people canoe. Kind of reminds me of the thing you sit on at Disney’s Splash Mountain.

We were warned that we could get wet, people jump into the lagoon, so we were advised to put our phones away. Since I did this last year I knew we would get a mist here or there but nothing major… or so I thought.

The ride was similar to last year, but with several upgrades. They really do a great job here! Creepiest part is there are a ton of lil kids dressed up and playing along. Gives me the willys!

There are a series of bridges and water ways that the ride goes under. Many have people lurking in the water, fog screens, but this tunnel was one of kind.

As we entered the dark tunnel, there were several things hanging from the ceiling. Then all off a sudden, our feet started to get wet. “Hmm,” I though to myself, “This is new. I knew we would get sprayed, but if I had known about this new gimmic I wouldn’t have worn jeans.” Well within seconds we all went from wet ankles to wet butts. We were literally sitting in water.

Next thing we knew, the lights went on, masks came off and people were yelling for us to exit to the right! We were sinking! It took us a few minutes to realize this was NOT part of the ride and that we indeed had to abandon the ride.

Already soaked, I was not looking forward to swimming to the side. I realized it would be a swim because once my friend’s 6ft husband stepped out of the canoe and the water was up to his chest. I knew my 5ft frame would be underwater! Luckily, my hubby had stashed his iphone into my purse at the beginning of the ride and as soon as I felt water creep up my body, I put my purse over the head. Thank God!

It was really pandemonium and we were all a lil scared at this point. The PCC staff was quick to respond to our mayday call, and once I entered the water, someone on the steep muddy bank grabbed by purse so I could hoist my soaking wet body onto to land. I felt like Shamuu.

Once I was out of the yucky water, I realized there were several small children on board and one of them got completely submerged! Poor things. The PCC staff was quick to bring out towels, clothing and hot food. The hot soup made me laugh. It’s not like we were in freezing cold water, but it was still a nice gesture despite the fact that we do live in Hawaii. My friend Kerri and I had a good chuckled and chalked our sinking up to the two of scarfing down a grilled cheese and chicken sandwich while we were waiting in line.

I also noticed the size of the people on our ride. There was a family of 13 large mamajamas sitting in the back. Probably not a good idea to place the heaviest people in the bag and even though each canoe can seat 35, when one person is the size of three people that rationale doesn’t really work.

What also cracked me up was when they asked us if we wanted to get back in the canoe and finish our ride! Many people were like heck no, but myself and a few others (excluding my PO’d hubby) decided to finish the ride. Heck, we already paid and walking around soaking wet didn’t seem very appealing either.

Lucky for my friends and I, none of our stuff got damaged. For our troubles we got free T-shirts, panchos to sit on in our cars, a full refund and complimentary dinner and show tickets. These things only happen to me, I swear!

Epic Weekend

I am so excited about this weekend! First on the agenda is a zero fun blood work appointment (part of Operation Skinny Minnie) followed by some solo shopping (needles hurt and shopping is a form of therapy right?!), the Haunted Lagoon at the Polynesian Cultural Center (I went last year and was oober impressws and this year Chris is able to join me!) and then Girl’s Night Out on Saturday.

I didn’t find anything to wear for the big Girl’s Night Out last Fun Friday so I HAD to find something today! I scored big time at Express and after coupons and sales I walked out of the store with $600 worth of clothes (including accessories for each outfit) for $200! Score! I will post pics of my ensemble soon. 

This weekend is off to a great start.

No Words Wednesday

Oakley's Fall photo-shoot