Crazy Train

It was a typical drive home last night. I was talking with my sister, zoning out since I'm just going from stopped to 1 mph and back to stopped again for 10 miles on a packed 405. She's telling me a story about one of her students who has whooping cough (I thought that was eradicated in the US) when I noticed a lot of flailing in the car to my right.

Now, I don't really pay much attention to people in other cars. One wrong look and you could be in a freeway shooting out here. But with all the commotion, I looked over. It was a nice looking black car with semi-tinted windows. I could see into the back and I thought, "Is that Sharon Osbourne"? Probably, who cares. I continued on.

A moment passed and the car is next to me again. I notice it's a Bentley. This time I see into the front. It's a young 20-something guy driving and he's laughing hysterically. Next to him, doing all the flailing, long black hair wildly blowing, is Ozzy Osbourne. I'm not a fan, but it was kinda interesting to see the hair, black clothes, big rings and tattoos.

As my sister said, even celebrities have to go on the 405. Then again, they're in a Bentley (slightly more comfortable than my car) and they have a driver. Their exit is Sunset Blvd, mine is the valley.

It Was A Long Wait

For my birthday, my sister got me a double broiler that I've been wanting for a while. I know, it's just a pot, but I was so excited to get it. Why I haven't bought one for myself in all these years is beyond me. Last night, I used my double broiler to make something that I've craved for 8 years now: zabaglione.

We had it for dessert once when we lived in Ithaca. I was hooked. It's a custardy dessert - kinda like crème brûlée, but without the caramelized top. I tried to make it once in Ithaca, but it didn't work so well. I didn't have a double broiler so I used a glass bowl (which is what they say to do). I had the water boiling too high and suddenly the bowl shattered. Through the years I've tried to buy stainless steel bowls, but for one reason after another, I couldn't find the right one.

Last night was a success. It's really a very simple dessert to make, but boy is it delicious and decadent. I made a version using champagne, which added a great taste. The strawberries and home made whipped cream on top really made it perfect.

I can't wait to make it again. Maybe this weekend when we have a friend coming over.

Can't Wait to Go Back

The view from our cottage at Turtle Bay. I miss going to sleep and waking up to the sound of those waves.

Couldn't Ask For More

My 30th birthday could never have been better. It all started with a helicopter tour of Kauai. We were lucky enough to sit in the front two seats next to the pilot. The views were amazing (pics don't do it justice). We went to Mt. Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth, with numerous 300 ft. towering waterfalls surrounding you...amazing. Here's a pic of the Na Pali coastline.

  

After the trip, we went to The Fish Express for a great hawaiian plate lunch. I lived dangerously and got kalua pork which is wrapped and cooked in ti plant leaves (which tastes kinda like spinach). We took our feasts to the beach and watched an endangered monk seal - what a great bday lunch. Here's my meal - it might look gross, but boy was it yummy:

From there we drove up the eastern coast, stopping at cute stores and coffee shops along the way. The Kauai Lighthouse was pretty:

The drive ended at the northern most part of the island accessible by car. It was a beautiful sunset at a really pretty beach. You can see the lei Ryan surprised me with.

The North Shore (of Oahu)

I've been wanting to blog about our amazing trip all week, but have been waiting to send myself a couple photos first. My evenings have just been too busy. So instead of waiting till the weekend, I'll start a trip review now and post pics over the weekend.

Turtle Bay beach cottages are the most amazing places to stay. They are luxurious in every way possible and well worth the money. It's no wonder why they shoot movies here and why so many celebrities vacation at Turtle Bay. The cottage is only 15 ft away from the giant north shore waves. You leave the door open and hear the crashing waves day and night. We had room service one morning on our patio watching the surf and surfers...amazing. When they turn down the room in the evening they put on lovely hawaiian music and leave a coconut macaroon wrapped in a leaf on your bed. I wanted to start a new rule that I only eat things wrapped in leaves, but that quickly lead to problems and I re-considered. We will stay at Turtle Bay again and I hope everyone else can at one point...it's not to be missed in life.

We went to a lot of beaches along the north shore and to the Bonzi Pipeline. The surf is so strong they have red flag strong current warnings up every day. It's not really a place to swim (although there are smaller bays along the coast that were tame). It was so much fun to sit on these beautiful beaches and watch the surfers. I wouldn't want to do it myself, but it really is an amazing sport to watch. The girl who had her arm bitten off by a shark in Kauai was surfing at Turtle Bay one afternoon - ESPN was shooting her for a special to air in March.

The nearest town of Haleiwa was so cute. We frequented a great coffee place called The Coffee Gallery. We bought a couple bags of coffee to bring home. There were some amazing restaurants too. We ate so much excellent seafood. It was all so fresh and delicious. I loved the Hawaiian Sweet Potatoes! Matsumoto's was a must see - the best shaved ice. It was so fun!

More to report later...

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