Belly Button Lint

Flip Flop

2012-01-29T20:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, it snowed the first half of the day. By mid-afternoon, the snow disappeared. This morning, it was sunny and clear.

With the sun's rays beaming unobstructed and the relatively warm temperature this afternoon, we decided to stop by Target to pick up a box of tea. When we arrived at the register to pay for the 9 items we suddenly decided we had to have, Bug suggested that I take a look out the window.

Day 210/365 - Waiting for me

It took a few seconds for me to register the wall of white. The weather flipped, as if someone pushed the lever to the next image on a View Master. The car was blanketed in white fluff as if we were in the store for hours.

When I carry my camera, I tend to lag behind to take pictures. With icy gusts roaring, Bug wasn't about to foolishly stand out in the open waiting for me. He sought shelter from the wind at every opportunity.

Day 210/365 - Caught up

Akemi appeared unaffected in her thick winter coat. Actually, she enjoyed chasing after the leaves and rubbish that raced by.

I am excited about one of the books I picked up today, "The Art of French Baking," because I adore madeleines, macarons, and choux pastries. If the recipes work out, I'll write about them. Hopefully I'll have an opportunity to take some pictures of the results before they are gobbled up.

- Cassaendra

Schizophrenia

2012-01-28T23:32:00.000-05:00

"Schizophrenic" best describes our weather this winter -- 50s Fahrenheit one day, then 20s the next day.

Day 209/365

We woke up to warm temperatures just above freezing with a feather-like snowfall over the span of several hours. By mid-afternoon, the snow machine ceased blowing, the snow had almost all melted, the wind picked up intensity, and the temperatures dropped into the 20s Fahrenheit.

Day 209/365

Aside from creating a picturesque winter wonderland, road conditions were slick which resulted in an abundance of automobile accidents judging by the nearly continuous wails of emergency sirens all day.

Day 209/365

It was a nice day to remain locked away at home.

- Cassaendra

Dinner and Two Shibas

2012-01-28T23:19:00.001-05:00

After a day of shopping for groceries and running errands last weekend, we returned home to a voice mail message from Bear's dad, our neighbor, inviting us to dinner and a shiba playdate. The idea is funny when you consider shiba are quite aloof.

Our meal consisted of bread with Mackenzie Creamery goat cheese with cognac figs, salad greens, and Brazilian stroganoff.

Mackenzie Creamery goat cheese with cognac figs

As I mentioned in a recent post, our introduction to Mackenzie Creamery took place 2 years ago when I was looking for an unusual pairing by Jeni's, a Columbus ice cream shop, at the grocery store ice cream case. Goat cheese with cognac figs sounded interesting enough. I really did enjoy the ice cream, but at $10 a pint it is a bit too luxurious for us to buy with any regularity.

SBear's dad receives deliveries from a CSA year-round. In one of his recent shipments, he received some beautiful salad greens.

Salad

The slight bitterness and texture of the greens paired marvelously with the warm, sweet stroganoff. The velvety stew was prepared with onions, garlic, beef, mustard, ketchup (tomato paste), oregano, cream, and hearts of palm (in place of mushrooms). I look forward to our attempt making this dish!

Brazilian stroganoff

It was nice to be able to kick back with someone who understands shiba and kindly took the time to prepare a delicious meal. Perusing the Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook was cool, too.

What about pictures of the doggie playdate? Bear and Akemi acknowledged each other's presence -- no wrestling, no tumbling, no fighting, no smooching. Akemi ate some of Bear's kibble, burped, and wandered around the house, while he quietly observed us from the vantage of his sofa.

- Cassaendra

Another Day

2012-01-28T19:44:00.001-05:00

Day 208/365

Looks like how I feel.

- Cassaendra

Dave is Here

2012-01-28T15:10:00.000-05:00

We don't eat out very often but when we do, casual chain restaurants are infrequently a consideration due to a higher likelihood of being met with mediocre food and lukewarm service. There are a handful of establishments that we feel consistently stand out from the pack and, as a result, patronize at least yearly -- Five Guys, bd's Mongolian Grill, Famous Dave's, and Longhorn.

A visit to Famous Dave's, our favorite rib joint, was long overdue. On our last visit, we tried boneless chicken wings basted in Wilbur's Revenge sauce.

Yes, boneless wings.

Frequently, chicken skin is prepared floppy, chewy, and fatty tasting so I am generally not a fan of wings as skin and bones pretty much makes up 90% of those silly pieces. Uh, no thanks.

Back to Wilbur's Revenge. I won't claim to be a heavyweight champion when it comes to spice level, but I am not a wimp. I've never felt the desire to get into a Scoville-peen contest but would "rank" myself at around the 70th percentile. Wilbur's Revenge was spicy, but not unbearably so. It teetered just at the threshold where flavor almost didn't matter because my taste buds felt like I had been licking a cheese grater for 20 minutes.

After that experience, we decided that on our next visit, we would try the boneless wings with Pineapple Rage sauce ($9.49) because the graphic listed it as one chile pepper notch below Wilbur's Revenge, and a pineapple-habanero sauce was intriguing. Being rather weary of all things pineapple being dubbed "Hawaiian," I was also glad it wasn't called "Hawaiian Hottie."

Day 207/365

One pepper notch difference seemed to amount to 50% less heat. The sauce was not challenging in the heat realm; however, the flavor was addictive. As one would expect, the sauce sits on the sweet side of the fence with an appropriately smoky caramelized flavor.

Perhaps not as cool as their grilled peppery flatbread with smoky salmon spread, which is an absolutely stunning dish, I would definitely order the Pineapple Rage boneless wings again.

As usual, I was undecided on what to order for my entree. Bug suggested the 2-meat combination ($14.49). When I scanned the meat choices, beer-battered cod stood out. Have I always been stuck on ordering beef brisket and other red meat items to not have noticed they serve cod, or has it just been that long since our last visit?

Day 207/365

Not one to miss an opportunity to savor their amazing smoky, tender, and saucy beef brisket, I ordered the brisket and cod with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. Bug eased his Memphis dry rub baby back ribs and beef brisket fix ($19.99) with cole slaw (pineapple and horseradish) and potato wedges.

The cod was all right, but I squealed when I tasted the tartar sauce. The chunky bits of pickle had me a-smilin'.

This time of year, the corn on the cob is expectedly frozen, so I took a bite and enjoyed my rare taste of corn, two bites of the garlic mashed red potatoes, three bites of the cod, bit off the top of the corn muffin, and donated the remainder to Bug while I stole 3 potato wedges from him expressly to dunk them and the mushy-but-tasty broccoli into the tartar sauce along with my slices of brisket. Yum!

- Cassaendra

Famous Dave's
26410 Great Northern Shopping Center
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 777-0200

Square Pegs

2012-01-25T21:12:00.001-05:00

More spindles, from bare bones to voluptuous.

I didn't realize how poorly painted the floorboards are...rather, the extra painting that was done.

Day 206/365

When I visited home recently, I spent some time at my grandparents' house. This was never my home, even though I lived on the same property the first 10 years of my life. I feel saddened with the stillness, without seeing my humble grandfather always tinkering with the landscape or fixing tools. With my grandparents gone, my uncle is the caretaker of this mansion. The majestic Victorian home is a shadow of a once gleaming estate.

Grandparents' porch

My father likely reminisces more, as it was his childhood home. What is now a paved parking area and several apartment units my grandfather built, was an acre of tropical trees and lush grass along a hillside with flowing double blossom fuchsia bougainvillea bushes lining the front and an unobstructed view of the Pacific when he was a child.

The weathered house stands strong, not accepting time, a testament of the workmanship withstanding over a century of kids, tropical storms, family parties, and termites, witnessing Hawaii as it was over half a century before statehood.

- Cassaendra

Peek the Cat

2012-01-25T20:17:00.001-05:00

Day 205/365

Behemoth cat basks, crouched before the curtains, in the blustery crispness.

- Cassaendra

Chevre Day

2012-01-23T23:27:00.000-05:00

We recently had dinner at our neighbor's house and were reminded of Mackenzie Creamery's cognac fig chevre, which was served with bread.

Day 204/365

Our first taste of their cognac fig goat cheese came in a pint of Jeni's Mackenzie Creamery cognac fig ice cream two years ago. At the time, I enjoyed the ice cream but felt it was a bit too pricey.

Fast forward two years later, Bug thoroughly enjoyed the cognac figs at dinner so we set out to purchase some for ourselves the next day. The cognac figs are not as sweet and more textured by nature of the fruit, while the ginger is subtle with the vibrant apricots.

The natural slight sourness paired with the lightly sweetened fruits makes a delicious and indulgent appetizer and dessert spread on sour dough bread, multigrain crackers, waffles, or just licked off a spoon.

- Cassaendra

Mackenzie Creamery
P.O. Box 325
Hiram, OH
Tel: 440-226-0772

Sunflower

2012-01-22T21:34:00.000-05:00

Day 203/365

Akemi enjoys the best of both worlds - sunny, warmer weather and frolicking in the snow. It was ~45°F (7°C) this afternoon.

We spent a part of our day sealed up in the darkness watching "Red Tails," a movie about the 332nd Fighter Group, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen. At the start of the film, it felt like this was going to be a waste of my time and money, rife with hokey scenes, cliches, and cut-out characters. As the turbulence settled, I was able to enjoy the movie, despite playing by the numbers.

"Red Tails" was not a horrible movie, but the movie should have been a lot better to honor the real people, the struggle for acceptance, and the monumental achievement this was to have portrayed.

- Cassaendra

Oh S-Noes!

2012-01-21T23:50:00.000-05:00

Day 202/365

With fresh snowfall overnight everything looked beautiful. Some areas received 7-8" of snow, while we received a couple of inches.

More snow snacks means more trips outside.

This dog is smart.

- Cassaendra

Nose Knows

2012-01-20T23:06:00.000-05:00

Day 201/365

Funny how 20°F (-6°C) feels warm...compared to the single digit ambient temperatures we had last night. Despite being bundled up, even the occasional whisper of wind made my skin feel prickly and my nose felt like it had fallen off.

Day 201/365

When my face has been ice-blasted, my belly always craves a steaming bowl of pho tai. Ahh, the spectacular spices and floral flavors and aroma of pho... *homesick for Hawaii*

- Cassaendra

Sneaky Shiba

2012-01-19T23:00:00.001-05:00

Day 200/365

Akemi loves fresh snow because she gobbles a lot of unsanctioned snow snacks. It comes with a side of scowling Bug scolding her the entire walk. She doesn't mind.

- Cassaendra

Dolly

2012-01-17T23:42:00.004-05:00

Hello.

Day 199/365

When I took the photograph, I was reminded of "Blade Runner." Perhaps I'll watch the movie Friday night, as I plan on finishing the last two episodes of season 2 of "White Collar," and a movie, "The Conversation" with Gene Hackman tomorrow night. Meanwhile, I am in the midst of reading two books, "Blueprints of the Afterlife" by Ryan Boudinot and "The Leopard" by Jo Nesbo.

Since we don't have cable television, most of our entertainment comes from what is available in the vast vaults of our library system; a wonderful resource for education and entertainment.

In case you were wondering... boa → snake → Zhora, the exotic dancer in "Blade Runner"

- Cassaendra

Dead Calm

2012-01-16T21:46:00.000-05:00

Day 198/365

Dead calm of dawn.

- Cassanedra

Frosty

2012-01-15T19:23:00.000-05:00

Day 197/365

To keep warm, people dress in all sorts of ways with scarves, hats, or hoods. Sometimes, it's all of the above. The snow machine has stopped briefly with rain in the forecast the next few days, followed by snow -- rinse and repeat.

Day 197/365

Akemi eyes the empty park bench between sneaking snacks of snow clods.

- Cassaendra

Zoo Music

2012-01-14T22:57:00.000-05:00

Continuing with the winter wonderland theme...

Day 196/365

When I saw these branches, it reminded me of a reindeer -- at least my recollection of reindeer antlers from my visits to the zoo.

Thinking about antlers reminded me of the bunny ears (television reception antenna) we ~~used when I was a kid, prior to cable television,~~ are using, and the aggravation of having to rotate them when the connection weakens. ARGH!

- Cassaendra

Snorkler

2012-01-13T22:42:00.000-05:00

Were you expecting exotic fish, colorful coral, blue rubber fins, a swim mask, and bubbles in the warm water of the tropics?

Day 195/365

To describe this picture, "snorkler" was the best I could do; snow + sparkler.

Snow has been flying since last night. By flying, we are experiencing gusts of wind that feel like they've traveled through a wormhole straight from the Arctic Circle and through our skin like neutrinos. My fingers went numb without gloves in just a few minutes.

Okay, okay, the ambient temperature is only 21°F (-6°C), not quite as cold as the Arctic (-29°F). Yeeesh!

- Cassaendra

Tired of Listening

2012-01-11T21:47:00.001-05:00

Mary appears to be tired.

Day 194/365

I would be tired if I had to listen to gossip and complaints from next door...

How can one not think of Bauhaus' song "Rose Garden Funeral of Sores" when seeing Mary? Well, I suppose if you have never heard of Bauhaus then you wouldn't necessarily think of this song.

Rose Garden Funeral of Sores by Bauhaus via You-Tube

Brought to you by the letters, B, A, U, H, S, as well as the letters Y, O, T, B, and E. Very 1970s/1980s of me to say, eh? *sigh*

- Cassaendra

Rose Garden

2012-01-10T22:07:00.000-05:00

Day 193/365

Found:
(a) bouquet of roses
(b) goth Tribbles
(c) scarf
(d) Squirmle / Mr. Fuzzy
(e) caterpillars

- Cassaendra

Hat Tree

2012-01-09T20:41:00.000-05:00

Day 192/365

Just swinging on a hat tree branch in our little corner of the urban jungle.

- Cassaendra

Bye Bye Bobbins

2012-01-08T10:10:00.000-05:00

It seems like just a few weeks ago we walked by Tremont West Development's space on Professor Avenue and witnessed the transformation from a conference room to a storefront. Cosmic Bobbins opened its doors in this spot as its temporary base of operations, and that day "a few weeks ago" was November 11th, 2011.

Day 191/365 - Basket o' bobbins

Last evening, we noticed a few things amiss and a couple of naked mannequins. From the start, this was a temporary deal, but a lonely storefront transmits a lonely vibe.

Day 191/365 - Mannequins

The bohemian storefront feels vacant without all the glitz and glam on display, from bottle cap belts to colorful brochure bags and ladybug goblets.

Sling of caps

While their nifty upcycled styles are sold online and numerous boutiques in the city, I wonder where the next Cosmic Bobbins sign will pop up?

Scarf at sunrise

Hope 2012 brings more cool shops to this space, and the return of Cosmic Bobbins, as well as Yellow Cake!

- Cassaendra

Cat Woman

2012-01-07T22:04:00.003-05:00

Day 180/365

A peculiar sight greeted us this morning. An old woman was walking across the street, following her was a red cat. At first, we thought the woman was taking her cat out for a walk, not thinking about how unfathomable that idea sounded.

The cat slinked around the woman, walked ahead of her, then behind her, and back to circling her, as she kept her steady pace forward.

Day 180/365

I stood at the corner and watched as the woman plodded down the block. When she reached the park near the end of the block, the cat sat, scratched itself, and meandered into the park, while the woman plodded on.

- Cassaendra

After the Snow

2012-01-07T21:50:00.005-05:00

Day 189/365

It may not seem like a scorcher, but the temperature yesterday soared into the low 50's (°F). Towards the end of the afternoon, my office was uncomfortably warm as the building's climate control was still operating on temperatures outside between 20-30°F.

In the last couple of days the pile of snow that sprinkled upon us on Monday has melted. All that's left after the snow are abandoned smatterings of salt here and there that weren't consumed. There is still 4 more months of winter, so it won't be long until the next brigade of snow comes marching through.

- Cassaendra

Lament Over the Shadows

2012-01-05T23:48:00.002-05:00

Day 188/365

Here are some flowers to brighten your winter day.

We will be taking a brief vacation from freezing temperatures, and enjoy partly cloudy skies and temperatures near 50°F. It'll feel like a heat wave.

- Cassaendra

Long and Winding

2012-01-04T22:37:00.004-05:00

Day 187/365

This picture reminded me of the Beatles' "Long and Winding Road." I haven't heard the song in a while so I queued it up.

"Long and Winding Road" by the Beatles

This is the version I prefer and recognize. It may not be the one that most people remember, however.

The internet is great. Let's keep it free.

- Cassaendra

Dead Rising

2012-01-03T23:24:00.002-05:00

Day 186/365

Almost all the trees that aren't evergreens are bare this time of year except for this tree. Its limbs are covered with leaves that are dried and dead. When the wind blows, the whispering in the summertime turns into a raucous rattle in the winter.

- Cassaendra

Eat Snow

2012-01-02T23:20:00.000-05:00

Day 185/365

Dog rang the bell.
Woke up. Dog rang the bell again.
Cat meowed.
Shuffled to the bathroom.
Cat followed. Dog sat at bowl.
Fed the dog. Fed the cat.
Dog burped.
Leashed the dog.
Looked outside. Squirrel on a chair.
Picked up boots. Looked outside. Squirrel on a chair. Yelled for a camera.
Squirrel stopped eating snow. One eye stared back.
Husband stumbled with the camera.
Squirrel on the railing.
Took a picture. Then another. And another.
Dog whimpered at the door. Husband paced. Dog paced.
And another.
Laced boots.
Slung camera over shoulder. Raced outside.
It's cold.

- Cassaendra

Happy New Year?

2012-01-01T15:45:00.000-05:00

Day 184/365

This morning, we took Akemi out for her first walk of 2012 and were greeted by a detached finger.

It was fake. Otherwise, we would have likely witnessed the finger creeping along the sidewalk with the aid of a procession of ants. Being an early Sunday morning, it may have been quiet enough to hear the faint hum of a funerary brass band marching along.

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 brings renewed hope, good health, many dreams fulfilled, and growth!

Thank you for tuning in! :)

- Cassaendra

Crunchy

2011-12-31T22:40:00.000-05:00

Day 183/365

Salads aren't exactly winter food. Raised in warm weather climate and fortunate to have a mother who prepared meals every day with flavor, texture, color, along with nutrition, I can't go long into the winter without cool, crunchy, and colorful foods - a contrast to winter's warm stews and baked casseroles.

As soon as my eyelids fluttered open this morning, a craving for salad stirred, so salad it was for breakfast. While the eggs were being boiled, I assembled the salad and toppings -- sliced cucumbers, baby carrots slivers, a handful of spring mixed greens, and fried strings of summer sausage, followed by toasting pecans, and a dusting of shichimi togarashi and crushed black pepper.

The dressing was a mixture of tahini, miso, rice wine, grated cucumber and baby carrots, black pepper, onion powder, and a dash of shoyu. I admit that I was pleased with the slightly sweet, salty, sour, and nutty flavor. The texture of the grated vegetables mixed with the onion powder gave the illusion of grated onions. In hindsight, I should have used some orange zest to add a citrus spark.

My crunchy cool craving was satisfactorily sated.

- Cassaendra

Malasada Time

2011-12-30T20:24:00.000-05:00

Day 182/365

Not particularly a big fan of deep fried foods or bread, but you wouldn't think that with the way I can scarf down malasadas!

I don't think I could ever tire of the fresh, puffballs hot from the deep frying rack and rolled in crunchy sugar. You can take a girl out of Hawaii, but you can't take Hawaii out of a girl. This lovely malasada made its 3 day voyage across the Pacific and into my mouth. Yum! (Thank you!)

- Cassaendra

Winter Attire

2011-12-29T23:35:00.002-05:00

Day 181/365

I'd love to drive around everywhere with these tires, especially in the winter. They are approximately 4 feet in diameter, so no more headlights shining in my eyes. In the unlikely scenario where I slip on ice, I won't have to worry about damage to my car. This would drive over everything.

As long as I don't have to pay for the gasoline and the tires when they blow out from running over cars.

- Cassaendra

Behind the Mask

2011-12-28T20:56:00.000-05:00

It is always fun to wander around Asian Town Center, located in the Midtown corridor on Superior Ave, because it is a converted warehouse with very high ceilings and wide corridors. Since the place isn't fully occupied, each time we visit there is a new store open.

Day 180/365 - Miega Korean Barbecue storefront

Today, we stopped by the market on the first floor to purchase some tofu and beni shoga -- a pickled ginger that is very different from the sweet, mild pink or off-white ginger slices served alongside sushi. Beni shoga is vibrant red in color and sour, and is always served cut into thin slivers (julienne).

Several months ago, we ate at Miega on an impulse so I didn't have my camera with me. The meal and service were wonderful -- we were one of two parties at the time. Booths are high-backed wooden benches with lacy individual seat cushions, so it was like sitting at a very Asian aunt's house. Also, each table has a call button for service which we did not need to use since they were attentive.

The next time we plan on eating here, I will bring my camera. Their grilled salted mackerel is superb.

Behind the Mask by YMO

- Cassaendra

Miega Korean Barbecue
Asian Town Center
3820 Superior Ave
Cleveland, OH 44114
Tel: (216) 432-9200

Doing a Jjigae

2011-12-27T22:16:00.000-05:00

Day 179/365

Gigantic snow puffs floated past my window for the better part of the day today. A perfect night for a bubbling cauldron of spicy soup to warm the body and everyone within a 5' radius. Mmm-mmm, kimchi jjigae!

Kimchi jjigae is a Korean soup that arrives bubbling wildly in a cauldron. Kimchi, zucchini, bits of meat (bulgogi leftovers?), squid, octopus, shrimp, silken tofu, onions, garlic, gochujang (Korean chile paste), more chile peppers, and broth make up this healthful soup. I order mine with a raw egg to add to the soup at the table.

- Cassaendra

Pink Flowers

2011-12-26T22:45:00.000-05:00

We bought pink flowers for Akemi this morning.

Day 178/365

The suspense was building for Akemi while the bag rustled as I untied the handles, even though she was with us when we bought her harness. The excited anticipation on her face was priceless.

As soon as she discovered her gift wasn't a snack, she snorted and walked away from me. She was not amused. As usual, she searched for the cat to blame. It's always the cat's fault.

- Cassaendra

Kan Zaman

2011-12-26T21:23:00.004-05:00

Since I am off work today (Monday), I groggily flipped through my list of things I would like to do should I have a weekday off.

All I could think of were places to eat with lunch specials. Sittoo's business special is a fantastic deal, $3 off the normal price. In the mood for some Middle Eastern food, I remembered reading about Kan Zaman's weekday buffet several months ago.

I looked through online reviews, which I expected to be weighted on the negative side, online human behavior being what they are. Skimming through a few, there were complaints about service, food quality toward the end of the buffet period (11:00-15:00), and gratuity automatically calculated into the check.

My hopes weren't very high mostly due to the cost. How much could I expect for only $5.99?

Just a couple of blocks away from the buzzing and revitalized West Side Market end of Ohio City, this end next to Lutheran Hospital is a bit run down. The structure looks bleak, like a convenience store or take-out pizza place. After stepping through the take-out area, the cavernous interior has a lush appearance from the mahogany toned furniture, small tapestries of Middle East flags, and drapes.

Raised open booths furnish the perimeter of the dining room with velour pillows and long seat cushions, almost welcoming someone to lounge. The ceiling was decorated throughout in dark ornate tiles with circular faux fur secured to the ceiling every few feet. Soccer announced in Arabic played on several television screens. The two men glued to one of the screens were quiet, so I presume their team lost.

The buffet is housed along the entire ~12' length of the semicircular bar. The service trays were sunken into the bar so the food was flush to the surface. Pita in plastic bags were stacked in a basket. Cold items included a regular green leaf salad; Mediterranean salad with chopped cucumbers, red onions, and parsley; tabbouleh; pickles - olives, cucumbers, and cauliflower; baba ghanoush; hummus; and crispy pita chips.

Hot items offered were long grain fluffy rice with saffron and peppercorns; chicken stew with tomatoes and onions; baked chicken; stuffed eggplant with beef, similar to moussaka; Mediterranean style green beans similar to Greek style, spiced with tomatoes and onions; and peas and carrots, spiced with tomatoes. Lentil soup and chicken soup with mushrooms were also available.

The smokiness of the baba ghanoush, fresh tabbouleh, and the crispy pita chips were an addictive combination. The hummus was a very nice creamy consistency, but the baba ghanoush spoke to me so I returned for a second serving along with a generous portion of tabbouleh and pita chips.

Another dish that I returned for seconds was their lentil soup, a tan colored blended soup with a depth and sweetness only a profuse amount of onions can create.

There were three desserts -- haystack, similar to baklava, with a cream filling; honey cake; and chocolate cake with coconut. I enjoyed the honey cake, moist and sweet, with an orange blossom honey flavor.

Another attraction to this place from what I've read is the availability of hookahs, $10 and a choice of flavors. In the take-out area, different colored hookah are displayed wrapped in plastic. While we were there, there were customers at 4 other tables, none of whom ordered one.

The fare served for the buffet was pretty decent and the service was fine. Factor in the price, the buffet is a good deal. Bug and I will return. On our next trip, I would like to try their kibbeh and chicken shawarma.

- Cassaendra

Kan Zaman
1616 W 25th St
Cleveland, OH 44113
Tel: (216) 621-2222

Home - Part II

2011-12-26T01:00:00.000-05:00

Continuing with my Thanksgiving and homecoming luncheon...

My first time eating green bean casserole was after I moved to the mainland in my mid-20s. In fact, I had never heard of green bean casserole until I ate it for the first time. To help further disassociate green bean casserole from Thanksgiving, Bug makes this dish all year, especially when green beans are in season.

Instead of green bean casserole, my aunt made green beans with katsuobushi and sesame.

Katsuobushi green beans

My father made green beans with shallots, oyster sauce, and sesame.

Green beans with oyster sauce, shallots, and sesame seeds

Both were quite addictive, so I am guilty of eating sizable servings of both.

"Western" by Alex de Grassi
Another great song from the Windham Hill 1984 sampler

My uncle and aunt brought a beautiful whole smoked turkey and gravy from the drippings. While we were kept busy with the delicious lemonade and tofu appetizer, my aunt trimmed the turkey. The turkey was moist and delicious throughout. They did a fine job!

Smoked turkey

Accompanying the turkey was a chicken dressing stuffed in a kabocha bowl made by my aunt.

I was afraid to ruin the bowl so I was very careful in scooping the dressing. Several minutes later, the bowl appeared cleaved open and its contents were crumbling out. I love kabocha and missed out by being so timid.

Chicken dressing in kabocha bowl

In writing this post, I have read about a foreign sounding dish called succotash and its frequent appearance at the Thanksgiving table.Thanksgiving is celebrated differently in Hawaii, or at least by my family.

I have eaten vegetable medleys at school and diners - lima beans or green beans, corn, and carrots. Is that be considered succotash also? If so, why isn't it called succotash instead of mixed vegetables or vegetable medley?

Edamame succotash

My first time eating succotash was at this meal. Edamame was used in place of kidney or lima beans, a brilliant substitution. I could eat edamame every day, and have when we purchase a bag from Costco. They are my favorite between meal snacks to take to work. Edamame with corn? A very cool combination.

My aunt made mochi rice with lup cheong, a Chinese sausage that is slightly sweet. Even though I have read and heard about lup cheong frequently while growing up, I rarely ate it since it was never served at home. This was another new dish for me that was very good.

Mochi rice with lup cheong

Thanksgiving isn't complete without sweet potatoes. My aunt made a platter of sweet potatoes with satsuma potato slices. I'm not a carb queen. Really! However, I won't turn away an opportunity to eat sweet potatoes. Warm, sweet, but not cloying, starchy - just right.

Satsuma and sweet potatoes

Next were the awesome musubi that my father and I made earlier in the morning. We made sure to monitor the quality of our musubi...numerous times. Quality control.

Musubi and friends

When I first walked into my cousin's house for this get-together and entered the kitchen, he pointed to a pot sitting on the back-burner and asked me if I recognized the aroma. Sheepishly, I replied that I could not really pinpoint it. He appeared disappointed. Eep.

Just as the mystery dish was being served in each bowl, he announced that he wanted to make 1 recipe from my blog for the party. Of course I blushed, then became worried that this dish may not go over well. He chose scallops with lime served over linguine, and made them far better than I did - just look at the perfect color of the scallops - with much larger scallops. The pasta was perfectly al dente. It was fantastic!

Lime scallops over linguine

My aunt made a mega-pie that combines a couple of my favorite desserts - haupia and sweetened Okinawa sweet potatoes - atop a macadamia nut crust. How did she make it so nicely?

Haupia + Okinawa sweet potato with macadamia nut crust pie

Spending face-to-face time listening to everyone's stories was a rich experience for me. I greatly appreciate the hospitality, thought, energy, and time spent to make this the best Thanksgiving and homecoming meal I've ever had...even going to the extent of omitting onions and cilantro that everyone loves. Hah! Okay, I know I shouldn't laugh. Instead, I ought to be embarrassed!

Cornucopia of love, patience, and kindness

I am embarrassed. Thank you for accepting me for all of my flaws. It has been an ongoing project, but I will continue working towards overcoming my childish quirks and becoming a better person.

- Cassaendra

Freeze Frame

2011-12-25T22:18:00.000-05:00

The city on December 25th always feels as if someone pushed pause between manic episodes of shopping.

Day 177/365 - Bottle of bobbins at Cosmic Bobbins

Yesterday, after dragging Bug to see David Fincher's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," one of the best movies I've seen this year, we walked around the mall to observe the chaos. It wasn't packed like a can of sardines, more like a can of Hamanako unagi.

While I was in Hawaii, I was shocked to hear from my father that Hamanako unagi, Japanese broiled eel in kabayaki sauce from Hamamatsu packed in a can, is kept behind the counter since it now goes for $16/can on sale. I thought that was absurd, since I recall buying it for $4/can a mere 20 years ago. When we went to Marukai, a Japanese wholesale membership club, it really sunk in when I saw a sign confirming what my father said -- not that I doubted my father. While I absolutely love Hamanako unagi, I asked my father not to send me anymore. I'm sure he's relieved.

There was still a line to get a picture with Santa Claus.

Day 177/365 - Ladybugs at Cosmic Bobbins

Following the day's first showing of "The Adventures of Tintin" this morning, an enjoyable animated movie, we drove to our favorite Indian restaurant, India's Cafe, for lunch.

Since the only store open was Walgreen's, their parking lot was jammed. We should have gone in. I am curious what people were shopping for. Were they there to ease their acquisition-itch since all the other stores are closed? Or were some curious as I was to see what all the fuss is about?

Just a few more hours until store employees will be thrust into overdrive dealing with returns, shopbacks, and clearance sales.

My belly is still happy from the goat curry, butter chicken, lentil curry (coconut milk and fresh ginger), and ras malai. I'll have sweet dreams.

- Cassaendra

Home - Part I

2011-12-24T23:16:00.000-05:00

A month ago, I visited home and was welcomed warmly by my family with a beautiful Thanksgiving + homecoming meal as it had been nearly 5 years since my last trip.

Tofu undressed in a line

Time to catch up on the goings on of the family. Even with email, some stories don't trickle over to me while others are best heard in person.

My favorite Thanksgiving song (only one I know)
"Thanksgiving" by George Winston

As long as I can remember, my family has never been satisfied with being average nor going with the flow. With that in mind, Thanksgiving lunch was indeed a treat for the heart with the wonderful group gathered, but also for the eyes and taste buds.

As an appetizer, my cousin made individual chawan (bowls) with cubes of tofu atop shiso (perilla) leaf with a fried iriko (anchovy) and hijiki (seaweed) mixture that was a amazing blend of crunchy salty-sweetness. I savored the shiso leaf as a wrap with the last few pieces of tofu and remnants of the topping.

Tofu dressed

As we were enjoying the tofu appetizer, my cousin's daughter prepared the best lemonade to pass these lips. Recently picked local lemons were squeezed and enhanced with the li hing mui, a salty, tart, and sweet dried plum.

Prize winning lemonade

Along with bragging rights for winning her school's contest with this lemonade was a $10,000 prize. The entries were not just judged on taste alone. A solid business plan that included a logo and marketing plan was also required.

My aunt created the centerpieces using pineapples, persimmon, pirouettes, sun dried tomatoes, and raisins. A wonderful tongue in cheek display on this food holiday, and deliciously "recycled" later.

Sweet centerpiece

Another beautiful presentation was the forest of salmon, tuna, fishcakes, and tomatoes propped by a turtle surrounded by waves of shrimp chips. With everyone staring at me to begin, I quickly picked the one with the fishcake on the left.

Under the sea

I am sorry that I couldn't present the somen (Japanese wheat noodle threads) salad better. This was quite the crafty display of multicolored strands in lettuce bowls. The toppings for the somen were in cups - chopped green onions, and slivers of egg crepe, cucumbers, and naruto (red and white spiral design fishcake). The somen tsuyu (sauce), a thin, cool broth of shoyu and dashi, was served in a teapot to the side (not shown).

Somen

The brown cluster in the foreground is freshly harvested seaweed. I don't recall having ever eaten this variety of seaweed before. It had a more pronounced ocean flavor and was quite fun with its higher decibel crunch-crunch-crunch.

Instead of the more commonly served ingredients of chicken and almonds or peanuts in the Chinese chicken salad, my aunt used macadamia nuts and added char siu.

Chinese chicken salad with macadamia nuts and char siu

The macadamia nuts added a subtle nutty and more pronounced buttery flavor to the salad, while the spiced char siu blended well with the sesame dressing and definitely made the salad more photogenic.

I was also able to meet a new member of the family, Terry, the childrens' Boston terrier. What a spunky puppy!

This isn't everything. There's more to come...

- Cassaendra

Sand Witches

2011-12-24T01:36:00.000-05:00

Day 176/365

The weather here has been quite damp lately -- perfect weather for soup! Where there is soup, sandwiches are not far behind. Tonight, we chickened out and made chicken soup with chicken salad sandwiches.

My chicken salad consisted of chopped cucumbers and boiled eggs, thinly slivered carrots, Kewpie and Hellman's mayonnaise, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, smoked salt, smoked paprika, bit of ballpark mustard, and a few drops of shoyu.

Bug's batch of chicken soup was delicious with chicken, celery, onions, peas, and potatoes. He cooked up a small batch of kluski (noodles) on the side for additional texture.

Soup 'n sandwich, my favorite meal!

- Cassaendra

One Lifetime

2011-12-22T00:50:00.000-05:00

Day 175/365

When I buy suits, they are frequently hung from a hanger with a thin plastic slipcover placed over my suit with a knot tied at the bottom. If they are on sale, the suit may be folded or thrown into a plastic or paper bag. My husband's (two) suits receive better treatment with a thicker black bag that zips up along its length like a body bag.

I've never purchased a suit that has been tailored for me from its first stitch. It was to my amazement when my father showed me how tailored suits from decades ago were packaged; a large, solid wood case with metal trim, lined with paper, inside and out.

In our disposable way of life, this would be unfathomable today...at least for most people. The suitcase was crafted so sturdily that it is still functional and would require just a little work to rejuvenate it to a timeless chic piece.

Of course, out of curiosity I plopped the address, 1-1A Hanoi Rd, Kowloon, on Google to see whether Kamlung still stands. It's a 7-11 store.

- Cassaendra

Four Minute Warning

2011-12-20T22:17:00.001-05:00

Only 4 weeks ago, Tremont West Development's meeting room was transformed into a storefront for Cosmic Bobbins. It will feel weird when this holiday chariot reverts to a pumpkin meeting room (it isn't quite that bad) in 4 days.

Day 174/365

When Yellow Cake occupied this space for a weekend last winter, I was swept up with the quaintness of the shop-up store that I bought a cute grey ninja doll. I think it was supposed to be a pin cushion. I adored some of the pretty unique outfits that were being sold -- if I were only thinner, taller, and had a few more bucks to spare.

Day 174/365

I wonder who will inhabit this spot next?

- Cassaendra

Lucky Star

2011-12-19T22:33:00.001-05:00

Day 173/365

The lit tree was cute when I walked by, but as I stare at this picture, it looks increasingly like a little girl's magic wand twirling in an odd manner.

And what is this? It is December and the tree isn't a lump of ice and snow with only the star peeking above its snowy cover? We've been fortunate with our weather thus far with only 1 day of snow (2 days ago). When New York was slammed twice with snow recently, we were fortunate the same system gave us rain.

- Cassaendra

Life Goes On

2011-12-19T00:18:00.000-05:00

We were running errands in Woodmere and decided to stop by Corky and Lenny's for a bite to eat. It had been a few years since our last visit. Our nostalgia or our empty bellies painted a prettier picture than reality.

Service here has often been a crapshoot. Tonight, service was pretty good. We ordered sauerkraut balls ($4.50), a reuben ($10.10), and mish mash ($7.50). Bug requested pickles, which are free upon request along with pickled green tomatoes.

Corky and Lenny's pickles were the first fresh kosher pickles I had ever eaten. They weren't the sour type like the commercially made ones, but large, fat pickles that tasted of brine, garlic, and cucumbers. I immediately fell in love with their pickles and would eat so many that I was parched for hours.

When our plate of pickles arrived, a sickening feeling coursed through me. I stared at the slender, quartered spears. I quickly took a bite and was saddened when the crunch was wrong and the first flavor that I detected was vinegar. Bug looked at me quizzically as I placed the remainder of my pickle back on the plate and pushed the plate toward him by a foot. He took a bite and understood.

Sauerkraut balls are deep fried balls of sauerkraut and meat mixture. As it had been a while since I last ordered this, I eagerly awaited its arrival but was met with disappointment upon my first bite to discover that horseradish, likely in the form of dijon mustard, was used.

Day 172/365

At first, I thought it was the dip, so I took another bite. More horseradish. I picked up a different ball and ate it slowly, hoping I was mistaken. Nope. I sighed, then nudged the plate away from me.

Mish mash is just that, a hodgepodge -- chicken soup with a large matzoh ball, rice, noodles, carrots, and kreplach, a meat dumpling that tasted very much like wonton.

My first bite of the kreplach immediately transported me to a diner in Hawaii enjoying a large bowl of wonton soup served with a bowl of rice and a small dipping bowl where Chinese mustard and shoyu are typically mixed (I prefer to use just shoyu) to dip the wonton.

Day 172/365

The past few times I have been to Corky and Lenny's, this has been the only dish I've ordered since it is consistently good. Over the 15 years I've eaten here, consistency has been an issue the last 4-5 times and the reason our frequent trips dropped off drastically.

Bug was disappointed when our server arrived with his reuben to find that both halves of his sandwich could fit side-by-side in one hand. During previous trips, when he ordered their reuben it would arrive nearly "overstuffed," stacked 3-4" high. This time, he was charged the same price, but received 1 slice of fatty, thick-cut meat.

Day 172/365

When I took a bite of his sandwich, I snagged a piece of fat that would not disconnect so the entire slice of corned beef dangled from my teeth as I held the meatless toasted rye in my hand. Bug wasn't any happier to deal with the really fatty slice of meat either.

We will not return.

- Cassaendra

Corky and Lenny's
27091 Chagrin Blvd
Woodmere Village, OH 44122
Tel: (216) 464-3838

Hoth Chocolate

2011-12-18T01:02:00.002-05:00

It's not quite the snow globe that is Hoth, but there's no denying that tonight would be a nice night for some Hoth Chocolate, watching the fluffy snow float down reaching its final destination - 5" of snow covered ground.

Day 171/365

The first snow of the season means snapping away on my camera like a tourist from the tropics. It is always so invigorating, especially when it's the warm puffy variety and not the beady slap in the face frigid sort.

Day 171/365

This is also the start of 150 more days of snow-related pictures for my 365 Project. With nightfall arriving so early, it is difficult to take pictures daily this time of year. Lighting at home to showcase Bug's creations is terribly suboptimal, and we cannot afford to be restaurant hounds, nor would we want to eat out that often.

Day 171/365

Sifting through all my pictures and writing about the week in Hawaii has been more time consuming than I expected, with at least 8 more posts from the trip simmering. Waiting for what?

Oh, I can't take credit for Hoth chocolate, by the way. It is one of recipes in the Star Wars cookbook, Wookiee Cookies.

I probably need a "stream of consciousness" label (or warning) for my posts.

- Cassaendra

Aloha Oe

2011-12-11T21:38:00.001-05:00

This trip to Hawaii was the longest stay of all of my visits back home, yet it felt like my shortest.

Each morning, I woke to a similar view of the city lights and traffic below. Thanksgiving morning was an exception, as it had considerably less traffic.

Day 170/365

I couldn't ask for better weather, low humidity, low 70s during the day and upper 60s at night. When it rained, as always it was just a mist that passed as quickly as a thought to look up at the sky.

While my father and I spent a lot of time driving, shopping, visiting with relatives, and walking together, breakfasts were one on one time. The world was streaming by outside, but it felt like time paused while my father prepared breakfast, I fixed the table, and we ate.

Day 170/365

On Sunday, we shopped for papaya since I had not eaten good papaya in over 15 years. I forgot how sweet, juicy, and tender they are. We also kindly received two freshly picked jabong.

Jabong is also known as pomelo and is the parent of the grapefruit, of which it is a hybrid with an orange. The fruit we received was over a foot in diameter and weighed several pounds. It looked like a gigantic citrus fruit from the time dinosaurs roamed.

Under the smooth yellow to pale green skin is a thick white pith. As is common with citrus, the fruit separates in discrete segments. The bitter membrane is translucent and removed since it is rather tough and bitter.

Day 170/365

Unlike it's offspring, jabong has a sweet citrus flavor with a faint bitter aftertaste. Not being a bitter food fan, I enjoyed eating this and probably ate 2/3rds of the gigantic fruit.

For lunch, we visited Hank's Haute Dogs, where I enjoyed the spicy alligator andouille hot dog. My father was impressed with his Chicago hot dog down to the neon relish, and commented that it was actually better than his.

As dusk approached, we discussed what to eat for my last meal before I flew back. With no chance to eat Okinawan food in the Midwest, I emphatically requested Okinawa soba with his homemade rafute, broiled, marinated, then braised pork belly. As a result of the cooking method, the slices had a robust flavor, was tender, and pretty healthy. Sun Noodles makes a great powdered pork broth and their fresh noodles are packaged with a light coating of oil.

Day 170/365

Over the weekend, we stopped by St. Germain Bakery, where we picked up a baguette for banh mi. Since my father makes do chua (Vietnamese pickled daikon and carrots), there is always a jar in the refrigerator. He makes it with a slightly spicy zing. As the noodles were cooking, he toasted the bread. Kewpie mayonnaise was used to dress the sandwich.

The meal was flawless - delicious and made from the heart. We talked, looked through old pictures, and watched television together until it was time to leave.

- Cassaendra

Irasshaimase!

2011-12-10T12:42:00.001-05:00

Since 1959, Ala Moana Center is probably one of a few places everyone on Oahu of all ages and statuses flock to. I have fond memories of the hours spent walking the length of the outdoor mall with my parents, then friends when I became old enough to take the bus there by myself.

This may sound strange, but I enjoyed walking into each store because each had their own scent upon entering. A few that stand out -- Sears (clothes and rubber); Liberty House (clothes, carpet, leather, blend of fragrances); Iida (paper, wood, and incense), and Shirokiya (Japanese food being prepared and that same cleanser all restaurants in Japan seem to use). The Sanrio entrance into Shirokiya smelled of vinyl and Japanese erasers.

It has been several years since my most recent visit to Shirokiya -- well, Hawaii. This has never been an empty store, but the place had a manic vibe. The familiar aroma of food being prepared was intoxicating. The vast displays of pottery, kitchen gadgets, furniture, purses, western clothes, kimono, and electronics were condensed. Instead, there was food everywhere -- refrigerated, hot, pickled, freshly prepared, baked, steamed, fried, ... Japanese food.

I'm not complaining.

Day 169/365 - Yataimura (street food stall village) - Curry challenge

A banner hung in one of the food stall areas on the 2nd floor that advertised a curry challenge: Japanese curry versus Indian curry. My id screamed, "Curry! Curry, curry, curry! Oh, no! Which do I choose?!" I wanted to try both in one platter, but that defeats the goal of the curry challenge.

The challenges consist of two restaurants pitted against one another for a 2 week period. Each week, the number of plates sold are posted. The winner is determined by total plate sales. Two new restaurants are brought in each period.

Entranced by the aroma, I glided to the curry corner only to be reeled back by my father's voice reminding me that we had a dinner to attend that evening so we shouldn't eat like it's our last meal on Earth.

We walked around the entire 2nd floor, to collect as much data on our choices to avoid making an uninformed decision and later regret it. As far back as I can recall, my father has always made decisions in this manner. On the other end of the spectrum, you'll find me.

Day 169/365 - Takoyaki genesis

We decided on ramen and gyoza. As a part of the ramen challenge, the line split into two directions with a barker at the center shouting, "Irrashaimase!" (welcome!), ushering people to go to one of the ramen-ya.

Similar to the curry challenge, the ramen challenge winner is determined by bowl sales. Renowned ramen-ya from Japan are brought in to participate. A majority of the noodles are supplied by a local company, Sun Noodles, so it levels the playing field to what I feel is the next important component of ramen: the broth.

My father chose tonkotsu ramen, I chose akaton shibori ramen, and we picked up an order of gyoza because you can't have ramen without gyoza. He went off to pick up takoyaki as I scanned the area for an available table while waiting for our order.

Boards hung above one of the seating areas that read, "Yataimura beer hall" and advertised Budweiser draft for $1, Kirin for $2, and Asahi for $3 from 5:30 - 10:00 p.m. daily.

We plopped down and tore open the gyoza and takoyaki containers. The ramen was served in beautiful rustic ceramic bowls, not Styrofoam cups. Are my expectations of communal food establishments low because it is what I am accustomed to in the US? What are they like outside the US?

My hatred of takoyaki - actually, the sauce - from an incident over 20 years ago is officially behind me. I savored each bite. There was a huge piece of tako (octopus) in each ball, unlike my most recent venture with Cleveland takoyaki. Generous yet appropriate portions of katsuobushi (bonito shavings), mayonnaise, takoyaki sauce, and aonori (laver) were sprinkled atop the takoyaki.

Day 169/365 - Our takoyaki

While takoyaki is often described as a pancake ball, it is the easiest description to give. Unfortunately, the texture isn't quite the same and the flavor is dissimilar. I am probably not alone when someone mentions pancakes, images of sweet, flat pancakes with maple syrup and butter are conjured. Adding octopus to the equation, the first dish that comes to mind is grilled octopus served with olive oil. Yikes!

Takoyaki itself doesn't have a sweet flavor. The sauce, being a Worcestershire base, imparts a little sweetness, as well as saltiness. The texture is crisp on the outside and a little gooey in the center where the octopus is. Katsuobushi and aonori add...wait for it...umami. The mayonnaise? Mayonnaise, especially Japanese (Kewpie) mayonnaise, augments almost any dish. Beni shoga (red pickled ginger), when available, adds piquancy and crunch, taking takoyaki to the next level.

My akaton (literally, "red pork") ramen was excellent. The red in the name comes from the addition of chile peppers, spicing up the miso broth. Not a pork lover, I enjoyed the thin slices of tender and not-so-gamy, fatty, nor gristly pork slices. Of course, I scooped the green onions to the side. The noodles were done perfectly, with a slight bite and chew.

Day 168/365 - Akaton shibori ramen served in ceramic bowls

My father ordered tonkotsu ramen. Tonkotsu broth is made from pork bones and has a rather complex flavor compared to shoyu and shio ramen broths. It must have been delicious because my father did not say a peep until he finished his bowl.

From complaints I have read on other sites and pictures I have seen, either this restaurant has listened to complaints or the others had bad luck. The serving size I received was quite generous. I was in a sated and content trance after my last noodle was slurped.

Day 169/365 - Tonkotsu ramen

Gyoza fresh from the griddle can't be beat. The gyoza had a crunch from the expertly charred base, the skin had a respectable chew (not over or underdone), and the meat-ginger filling was appropriately portioned to dispense a balanced flavor and texture when chewing. I would come here just to eat an order or 10 of gyoza.

Day 169/365 - Gyoza

Ala Moana has expanded with nearly 300 stores and restaurants. Several of the familiar shops of my youth are lost in time or have evolved.

Despite having been acquired by K-Mart, Sears remains the same. Liberty House was sold to Macy's. Iida, after 105 years, permanently closed its doors in 2005. Woolworth and JcPenney have also gone. With rent at ~$1,200 per square foot, I wonder how some stores remain afloat...well, some don't, obviously.

Shirokiya opened in Edo, present day Tokyo, in the 1660's (can one even imagine a store that old?) and fell on hard times, twice - as Shirokiya and under Tokyu. The brand no longer exists in Japan and is presently a locally owned company since Tokyu sold Shirokiya lock, stock, and barrel for $1 to the top executives running the Hawaii store in 2001.

I find it sad that such a thing can happen to a store with such a long history, even though I realize that with any business, if you can't keep up with your consumers, the consumers will leave you in the dust. To think the store existed during the time of the fourth Tokugawa Shogun, Ietsuna (in office 1651-1680), and famed artist Ando Hiroshige captured Shirokiya in his 100 Famous Views of Edo series (no. 44) in 1858, just a few months before his passing, is incredible.

The atmosphere is different with stores like Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Dior, Tiffany and Co, etc. Browsing the stores with my father brought me back to the days of my youth, watching a new generation creating fond memories.

- Cassaendra

Shirokiya
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814
Tel: (808) 973-9111

Breakfast at Home

2011-12-08T23:07:00.001-05:00

On my visits home, weekday breakfasts are usually salad greens made by my mother or father. It is an excellent and positive start to the day! I feel energized, not sleepy.

Turkey Day Breakfast

Thanksgiving morning, the salad consisted of cabbage, spring mix, luscious Hamakua tomatoes, broccoli, celery, radishes, Maui onions (sad face), Kona oranges, Fuyu persimmons. I don't recall ever trying Kona oranges prior to this. They are very sweet, pale yellow, with a lighter citrus flavor. The persimmons were firm and delicious -- nothing like the ones I get in the Midwest that are either firm and bitter or extremely squishy, sweet, and flat in flavor.

I picked Pietro ume (pickled plum) dressing. While Pietro's sesame miso dressing is my favorite for lettuce salads and marinades, the ume dressing pairs perfectly with cabbage salads contributing nutty, tart, sour, salty and peppery flavors.

On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, we ate leftover Chinese chicken salad from our Thanksgiving luncheon the day before, as well as locally grown tomatoes, celery, radishes, red peppers, and slices of juicy Japanese pears from Tottori. No, not those forest creatures [Totoro] nor the flushing toilets with bidets from Japan [Toto].

Day 168/365

On Sunday, my father made fried rice with leftover multigrain rice, Spam, Portuguese sausage, peas, garlic, onions, Hamakua eggs, red bell peppers, furikake, beni shoga (red pickled ginger) with slices of Tottori pears. As much as I dislike onions, this was delicious. The beni shoga was the scene stealer, however. With just a pinch, it brightened the meaty and slightly salty dish with a pickled bite.

My father and I went to Marukai, a store that specializes in Japanese groceries and sundries, on Saturday. It had been years since I ate fresh chichidango and manju. As soon as my eyes caught sight of these treats sitting on a table, my grubby fingers clawed them into our basket post-haste.

Day 168/365

The flavor of chichidango is difficult to describe to anyone who hasn't had mochi. Describing them as "rice cakes," one conjures the puffed rice patty that tastes like Styrofoam. These "cakes" are sweetened, but not very sweet, with a smooth texture and discrete bite (not chewy or stringy). I noticed flavored varieties like coconut and fruit, but I prefer these as-is.

The purple color of the sweet potato manju likely comes from using Okinawan sweet potatoes that are naturally purple. The intense color may have been augmented. When eaten fresh, as these were, the flaky crust is heavenly.

It has only been a week since I returned from Hawaii. As I continue to process my pictures, reliving each moment, it feels like several months have already passed. It probably doesn't help that I traveled from temperatures in the low 70s with frequent trade winds, spending time with my warm and enthusiastic family, to mid to low 30s with bone chilling wind gusts dropping the temperatures to the 20s, everyone bundled up, rushing around with their nose to the ground.

- Cassaendra

Cemetery of the Pacific

2011-12-07T21:35:00.001-05:00

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific sits in a crater in Honolulu. Amidst the chaotic bustle just a few minutes away, this memorial, always beautifully maintained, exudes serenity and honor.

Day 167/365

Construction, which began in 1948, was completed in 1949, and is home to ~13,000 soldiers who died in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Soldiers and their spouses continue to be interred here; however, new casket plots are no longer available, only column burials.

During my recent visit just over a week ago on Saturday, a renovation project was underway and is expected to take a total of 2 years to complete.

Day 167/365

From the official site:

“In the 60 years this national shrine has been open, the turf has never been renovated before,” Gene Castagnetti, the cemetery's director said. “Gravesites will be leveled, grave markers will be cleaned and stabilized with a non-biodegradable product called grass-pave. The soil will be tilled to a depth of eight inches and replanted with a new Bermuda grass called „Celebration‟ that is tolerant to both shade and drought.

My last visit here was over 4 years ago. I hope to be able to return and view the progress of this immense project.

- Cassaendra

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
2177 Puowaina Dr
Honolulu, HI 96813-1729
Tel: (808) 532-3720

Black Friday

2011-12-06T01:04:00.001-05:00

On the day after Thanksgiving, my father and I meandered through Chinatown purposely avoiding the chaos taking place in large retail stores.

Day 166/365

During the early 1940s, the brick building below, built in 1899, was home to Cafe Aloha, popular amongst servicemen, which became Cafe Hubba Hubba after World War II, and later transformed to Club Hubba Hubba until its demise in the 1990s.

Yes, Club Hubba Hubba.

Day 166/365 - Club Hubba Hubba, Hotel St

My memory of this area of Downtown along Hotel Street was of dilapidated seedy establishments, the clack of cues hitting balls, and the thunk as balls fell into pockets, mixed with carbon monoxide fumes, baked urine, and old beer. With the recent renovations, the difference is like night and day.

Hotel Street the day after Thanksgiving is like something out of a dream, an alternate universe. From a bustling street choked with traffic to an empty stretch where you could take a nap in the middle of the street -- I wouldn't advise it.

Day 166/365 - Hotel St

Built in 1931, the Walter Murray Gibson Building (below), as it is currently known, on Merchant and Bethel Streets was the Honolulu Police Station until 1967. City government offices currently occupy the space. The doors were made from imported mahogany from the Philippines. Marble, imported from France, and local sandstone were also used. A lot can be said for beautiful architecture and quality materials.

Day 166/365 - Old Honolulu police station

Downtown along Merchant Street feels like a throwback to a prosperous time, when people walked around in long dresses and men in suits (in the heat!) carrying timepieces, as much of the surviving architecture was built in the 1890s through the 1930s. It reminds me of brochures I've flipped through of Miami, with its fusion of Spanish and art deco.

The renovation of Downtown to keep the old architecture is commendable, when it is cheaper to demolish old buildings and build skyscrapers. The use of compact fluorescent light bulbs on an old lamp is an example of the pride and the preservation effort.

Day 166/365

Still along Merchant Street, this narrow walkway was rather claustrophobic. The green awning is an entrance to a restaurant. Several other retail businesses are further along.

Day 166/365

After weaving through grocery, herb, and anything you can think of stores, we landed at Pho 97 for a fantastic Vietnamese meal of pho tai and bun bo Hue, which I will describe in an upcoming post.

More pictures of Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown to come, once I have sifted through the rest of my pictures.

- Cassaendra

Musubi Times

2011-12-04T14:21:00.001-05:00

I had a great nights sleep and woke up to a wonderful breakfast -- cabbage, spring mix, Hamakua tomatoes, broccoli, celery, radishes, Maui onions (snuck in), Kona oranges, and Fuyu persimmons.

Breakfast!

There was little time to lounge, since we needed to prepare our contribution to a family Thanksgiving luncheon that would be held at my cousin's house.

We prepared musubi (rice balls) and green beans. Well, my father prepared and I assisted.

Day 165/365 - Multigrain rice with ume

We made several types of musubi (also known as onigiri):
1) multigrain, mochi, and Niigata koshihikari (white) rice with seeded umeboshi (pickled plum) placed in the center;
2) white and brown rice rolled in furikake (sesame seeds, nori (toasted seaweed/laver), salt, sugar) each served with a slice of fried Göteborg sausage;
3) white and brown rice with kim chi topping each served with a slice of fried Göteborg sausage;
4) white and brown rice with benishoga (picked red ginger) topping each served with a slice of fried Göteborg sausage;
5) white and brown rice with fried Spam in sauce wrapped in nori.

Day 165/365 - Niigata koshihitari and brown rice, furikake

Musubi is formed with hot, unseasoned sticky rice. The heat and stickiness are important so the balls retain their shape and helps the furikake adhere to the rice.

How do you combat the rice from sticking to you while preparing the onigiri? Wet hands.

Since the rice in musubi is not flavored with sugar and rice wine vinegar like sushi rice is, rubbing a very small pinch of salt into your wet hands adds flavor. This step is optional when mixing salted ingredients to the onigiri; otherwise, they may become too salty.

The final product at my cousin's home, presented by my father...

Day 165/365 - The ensemble

Please check back -- the Thanksgiving luncheon will be described in better detail in an upcoming post!

- Cassaendra

Salt Lick To-Go

2011-12-04T13:59:00.001-05:00

On my last leg flying to Honolulu, I stalked Kobo, a Japanese fast food counter, which was near my gate.

Fast food at the airport. The logical non-food related part of my brain, which is a very small area, warned not to go there. However, the sound of "chicken teriyaki", "rice," and "today's special" resonated within me.

I wasn't very hungry, despite having only snacked on a small bag of baby carrots and celery that I packed, and nibbled on 3 delicious packets of Biscoff cookies over a span of 9 hours.

Day 164/365

I plopped down $7.00 and waddled over to a wobbly metal table. After a couple of bites, I felt a tingling sensation on my tongue. Another bite of the sweet, gingery sauce revealed the culprit was likely salt, lots and lots of salt.

Two more licks of salt and 4 more bites of gooey rice were all I could take. I sealed up the take-out container, got up, and tossed the container in the rubbish can with a thud -- guilt for throwing away my money and food; anger because I knew better; and relief to be rid of that mess.

Asleep through much of the flight, I had dreams of being parched, only surfacing when the stainless oasis bumped along.

I have come to accept that:
1) my lapse in judgment was a result of the carbs' siren song enchanting me;
2) flights only take off from gates at the very end of the hall.

- Cassaendra

Kobo
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Seattle, Washington

Back from Vacation

2011-12-01T11:53:00.001-05:00

In the next few days, I'll post a few pictures out of the several hundred from my vacation to Hawaii to continue with my 365 Project. :)

- Cassaendra

Thanksgiving Melt

2011-11-22T22:49:00.001-05:00

To celebrate Thanksgiving, the special sandwich available this month at Melt is the New Bomb Turkey Melt. It is a Thanksgiving meal between two buttery grilled slices of bread sounds like an idea cooked up by Willy Wonka.

Day 163/365

The meal consists of mesquite smoked turkey breast, sage stuffing, butternut squash, Muenster cheese, gravy, and cranberry dipping sauce.

As with all of their sandwiches, a generous portion of crisp french fries, coleslaw (unfortunately, with a lot of chopped onions), and 2 slices of pickles are also included.

Day 163/365

While the roster of ingredients sounds overwhelming, the sandwich truly works. I was most impressed with the spiced, sweet, plump, and slightly tart cranberries. The sauce complements the sandwich, as well as the french fries.

Of course, we packed up leftovers to feed ourselves for another meal and ordered the bread pudding of the month for dessert -- the ultimate chocolate chip cookie.

Day 163/365

The steaming amalgam arrives at the table, and reads like another indulgence -- vanilla ice cream, molten dark chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch, and peanut butter -- but it is actually a delight to the senses of smell and taste, as well as [mouth]feel (there, I said that word!).

Each bite has a texture within itself, so it is never like mashed bananas, nor is it ever bland or dry like a loaf of week-old bread. As much as their sandwiches are a delight for their flavor, quality, and ingenuity, their bread pudding rivals their namesake.

- Cassaendra

Melt Bar and Grilled
14718 Detroit Ave
Lakewood, OH 44107
Tel: (216) 226-3699

Neon Pizza

2011-11-21T20:46:00.001-05:00

Day 162/365

It's what's for dinner.

Well, it implanted the idea, then we hopped into the car, drove 20 minutes to Donato's, and picked up a pepperoni and Works pizza -- thin crust, of course.

- Cassaendra

Timelocked

2011-11-20T16:22:00.001-05:00

Day 161/365

Lying motionless with the ubiquitous rolling cadence of a clock announcing each second, shallow breathing from beyond bleeds through between troughs of silence. With each attempt to concentrate on the present, the slope becomes steeper until I slip back into the viscous darkness.

Floating to the surface, the metronomic tapping fades in. Was it a second, 3,000, or 7,000 that passed? I realize the distant breaths are my own.

One eye opens stickily to an anemic yellow light filtering in from a cracked window near the ceiling. The other eye unwillingly complies. A dull pain envelopes my eyes, forcing me to squint while trying to focus. Grey dust particles drift down, becoming luminescent in the sun's path for a moment, then disappearing briefly behind the shadows cast by the bars along the window, reappearing until they melt into the oblivion of the dimness below.

My eyes slowly travel up toward the ceiling and follow another pack of invading particles. Where do they come from?

Another Sunday morning.

- Cassaendra

6 Degrees of Bacon

2011-11-19T20:44:00.001-05:00

It has been over 20 years since "Tremors," which starred Kevin Bacon, played in theaters. Where has the time gone? I remember going to the theater to see this movie on its first run.

Day 160/365

For those who missed it the first time around, "Tremors" is playing at midnight tonight at the Capitol Theater. As is often the case with the Capitol Theater's Late Shift movies, Melt created a sandwich to pair with the movie: 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon BLT Melt ($16.00).

The sandwich is enormous! The list of goodness includes hickory smoked bacon, applewood smoked bacon, black pepper crusted slab bacon, pancetta, candied bacon, herb cream cheese mixed with bacon bits, bacon infused mayonnaise, sharp cheddar, romaine, and tomatoes.

I could barely make a dent into my half of the sandwich with my first bite. What a glorious first bite it was - a bit of hickory smoked bacon, some lettuce and tomato, and a beautiful marriage of flavors from the herb cream cheese, bacon, and mayonnaise.

Subsequent bites were on the verge being overwhelming with the combination of smoke, pepper, saltiness, and sweetness. It was like taking a culinary dive attached to a bungee cord. Just as you are about to hit the ground screaming, the cord reels you back.

- Cassaendra

Melt Bar & Grilled
14718 Detroit Ave
Lakewood, OH 44107
Tel: (216) 226-3699

9 Lives

2011-11-18T23:47:00.001-05:00

Day 159/365

I'm surprised this cat has lived as long as he has as much as he enjoys sitting out on in the middle of the street and under cars.

- Cassaendra

Holiday $pirit

2011-11-17T19:13:00.001-05:00

Stores are gearing up for the winter holiday [shopping] season.

Day 158/365

Cosmic Bobbins, a pop-up store in the Tremont West Development's meeting / show room, opened last weekend and will remain open until December 23rd. More items were added to their storefront display since I last posted about them with rings, shawls, jeans, shirts, ...

Day 158/365

Not one to celebrate the holidays, I find the retail craze this time of year to be bewildering. More puzzling, and quite obscene, are the people who are attempting to force stores to remain closed until it is convenient (for whom?) because Thanksgiving is about "turkey and football."

It is certainly not about spending the holiday with their families. Where is the decry on working New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day?

I will never understand why some people feel entitled to shove their ideals down everyone's throats by attempting to take away others' freedom to choose.

- Cassaendra

Leaves, Leaves

2011-11-16T23:24:00.001-05:00

Everywhere...a snapshot before the evidence of the chaos 2 days ago is cleared.

Day 157/365

After the leaves have been flung, kicked, and leaped upon, what does one do with so many leaves other than admire its beauty or reminisce wistfully?

Anyone have a mulch monster that needs to be fed?

- Cassaendra

Lift - How To...

2011-11-15T23:19:00.001-05:00

Today, we're going to learn how to operate a lift.

Day 156/365

Well, not really. I love looking at diagrams, especially when arrows point all over the place.

If I operated this lift, it would probably topple over and crush me. Meanwhile, if I saw someone learning to operate a lift, I would likely be the first person to laugh hysterically as the arm jerks and lurches, and the person in the basket above grasps, white-knuckled, the edge watching his life flash by.

The arrows make my toes curl (in pain) because they remind me of dance steps.

- Cassaendra

Walking Wet

2011-11-14T20:55:00.001-05:00

With camera in hand, Bug, Akemi, and I were headed out when I felt the phantom sensation of rain drops against my face. I was about to discount the probability of rain, when I felt the same cool pricks again.

I peered above at the swirling clouds, then took a few quick pictures of squirmy Akemi tugging at her leash toward the street. In an unusual decision, I stashed the camera at home.

Day 155/365

Not ten minutes later, the scant water droplets that were enjoyable in the warm breeze were mixed with sporadic plump splotches. Within a couple of minutes, gusts of cold wind sheered down the street where we were walking and the rain pummeled us with ferocity.

Flailing tree limbs bare from the high winds from the day before made poor shelter as we sloshed along. Shielding my eyes with one hand did little to help with the water-smudged distortion ahead. I struggled to keep my eyes open as they burned from the unrelenting rain slicing into them.

Within eyeshot of our place, my pants felt like leaky water bladders from trudging through the streams that sprouted as sidewalks and streets flooded.

A thought crept into my head that forced a slight smile as we noisily squished our way into the house -- I am glad I left the camera at home!

- Cassaendra

6 More Months

2011-11-13T19:08:00.001-05:00

10/2011 - Autumn leaves

In less than a month, the gilded leaves that draped this tree revealed its naked limbs. The spectacle of autumn is brief as we invariably have a couple of days of high wind and/or rain soon after.

Day 154/365

Today, the winds were gusting 30-50 mph. The tree was bare before the high winds would have taken the last of the stragglers, which is evidenced by the clean sidewalk...or the person who resides here is meticulous. Our place has leaves piled pretty high everywhere, creating a bit of fun running through.

It'll be at least 6 months until we see leaves sprouting.

- Cassaendra

Electrified

2011-11-12T22:10:00.001-05:00

Day 153/365

When we walked by, I presumed the track attached to the wall was for running electricity into the building. I realize that the cables are protected from the elements, so a stray leaf, bird, or receipt (if it really is an electric cable) won't set the building ablaze if it happens to land. It still had me pondering if it is a good idea to have plants growing where cables are run.

- Cassaendra

Rectory

2011-11-10T23:30:00.001-05:00

I feel bad that I don't know any information about this rectory.

Day 152/365

When I first moved here, it was the first time I had ever seen snow. I spent hours that first weekend walking around outside taking photographs (not digital) of snow on hedges, snow on statues, snow on berries, snowy shoeprints, ...

It was magical to see tiny bright white puffs of snow perfectly piled on each red berry on their premises.

- Cassaendra

Bear

2011-11-09T23:44:00.000-05:00

Day 151/365

Meet Bear, the shiba inu~

Bear is 2-3" taller than Akemi. They get along very well, which means they act aloof toward one another. He is mild-mannered and raised to be a show dog. It is *almost* embarrassing to see them together, since Akemi trots around like a bossy queen of the hill tomboy.

- Cassaendra

Hydrant - How To...

2011-11-08T22:15:00.000-05:00

I've never seen a brand new fire hydrant, a hydrant so new it still has instructions attached. Aside from new developments, when do you really see one?

Day 150/365

It didn't have a new car or computer smell that I could detect, just a beautiful untarnished surface.

Day 150/365

It's too bad that in just 4 short months, this hydrant is probably going to look like it has been standing there since Dick Goddard began doing weather, looking dull, dinged, and decrepit (the hydrant, not Dick).

- Cassaendra

Murasaki

2011-11-07T23:08:00.000-05:00

Day 149/365

Pillowy purple petals in the park.

- Cassaendra

Kitty's Lot

2011-11-06T23:47:00.001-05:00

We were ambling down the street chatting about computers, when Akemi lurched forward and strained against her leash. She stopped at a church parking lot gate and began acting squirrely (well, more squirrely than usual).

Day 148/365

We wondered what caught her interest.

Behind the presumed safety of the gate, we noticed a cat peering back at us. Akemi stared longingly through the fence as the feline walked teasingly to and fro just 10 feet away.

Day 148/365

Akemi tends to lose interest rather quickly, so I wanted to allow her time to snort and walk away in disinterest.

We waited.

She looked on quietly as the cat slunk back and forth.

Day 148/365

Even the scratching of the dried leaves skipping down the street did not distract her. The warmth of the sun felt nice on my face as chilly tendrils crept through my thin jacket.

Several quiet minutes passed.

Bug lost.

He instructed Akemi, "Let's go," while he motioned her away from the gate. She looked back as we walked away. After several steps, the cat's existence dissipated as a large fluttering golden leaf wedged in a tuft of grass caught her fancy.

- Cassaendra

Mag Bag

2011-11-05T22:29:00.000-04:00

Day 147/365

A display of woven purses and doodads now grace the Tremont West Development Corp storefront window on Professor Avenue.

From reading a blurb printed on the backside of their tag, it reads that Cosmic Bobbins' handbags are "organically handcrafted from previously read magazines and are fair trade manufactured, to create jobs to help lift people up out of poverty." The purse shown above is listed at $150.

The pop-up store is scheduled to open its doors on Friday, November 11th for the Art Walk through December 23rd.

- Cassaendra

Cupcake Cat

2011-11-04T23:56:00.000-04:00

Cats roam freely around the neighborhood. Pink Heart Cat was guarding a cupcake shop this afternoon.

Day 146/365

I don't want it to seem like we have roving hordes of felines terrorizing the residents. It is quite the opposite. They tend keep to themselves, but I'll occasionally see two cats staring at each other.

- Cassaendra

Twinkle

2011-11-03T23:09:00.001-04:00

Day 145/365

Akemi appears to listen to Bug intently as he tries to coax her to sit. After a couple of minutes, she finally did...for 2 seconds.

- Cassaendra

76

2011-11-02T23:51:00.002-04:00

Day 144/365

Since I don't know my muscle cars, I have no idea what kind of car this is. I would have taken a picture of the back of the car, but I didn't want anyone to think I was trying to steal it.

This would be one of the last cars I would steal. (Too obvious)

- Cassaendra

Pretty Vacant

2011-11-01T23:59:00.000-04:00

A store sits vacant.

Day 143/365

It was just 2 years ago when this studio-gallery was being spruced up, getting ready to open.

Taken 08/2009

Prior to this gallery, the shop was a combination dry cleaner-curio shop twice, and a florist once or twice. Space gets gobbled up quickly, but with the turnover this place has seen, this may need to be a solid and unique venture.

I wonder if the cat will remain...?

- Cassaendra

Ghostie

2011-10-31T20:41:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!

Our neighborhood must be too dangerous. We saw only 1 group of four kids, and that was nearly 2 hours ago.

Day 142/365

I wonder if the store will sell me the ghostie at a discount tomorrow...

- Cassaendra

Perfect Day

2011-10-30T21:30:00.000-04:00

Autumn blends life and death beautifully, showering us all with its sensory gifts.

Day 141/365

Working with a broad palette and canvas: a chilly gust of wind and the warm embrace from the sun; the scent of damp soil and dry leaves; rustling of leaves racing along the sidewalk, scampering of squirrels, and crunch of acorns; vibrant green grass and bright orange, red, and gold leaves; even a bounty of flavors and textures from mushrooms, squash, pears, mackerel, and lamb.

- Cassaendra

Frosty

2011-10-29T20:48:00.000-04:00

We had our first tickle of frost this morning. Not more than 0.5 seconds after I took this picture, Akemi stomped all over the sole patch of grass with frost, as it was quite late -- after 10:00. Gotta love that kid.

Day 140/365

Ah well, we'll be seeing this and more for the next 7 months.

Only the rear window of the car was frosted over. The remainder of the car had already warmed up.

Day 140/365

In the areas where the condensation was more discrete, it appeared as if someone painstakingly embossed each bead. One can almost draw a meaning from the code left behind.

Day 140/365

Autumn is fleeting. Perhaps that is why it is my favorite season.

- Cassaendra

Bundle Up

2011-10-28T23:14:00.000-04:00

Day 139/365

Little squirrel isn't as common a sight as it was just a month ago. Hope this little critter survives the winter.

- Cassaendra

Fall Coat

2011-10-27T23:32:00.000-04:00

Day 138/365

Another autumn day with Akemi in her fall coat. Her head reminds me of Juggernaut (Marvel comics) this time of year. In some places, however, she is starting to look a little mange-y breaking in her winter coat.

- Cassaendra

Tulips and Star Sand

2011-10-26T22:53:00.000-04:00

My best friend sent me a box of Tulip luncheon meat a few months ago, since it is unavailable here. Tulip is similar to Spam, but it has a meatier, slightly more intense bacon flavor but isn't as sweet as bacon Spam. I have found that Tulip is superior to Spam fried in yakisoba, fried rice, and as a topping in ramen.

Day 137/365 - Tulip musubi LOL

I haven't tried to replicate Tulip musubi. I can't imagine it being horrible; however, the sauce may need to be adjusted for the difference in flavor.

Earlier in the week, I screamed in the grocery store when a red, gold, and indigo block print design with a drummer, typical of Okinawan designs, caught my eye from afar. I gave up wishing for Okinawan food in Cleveland a long time ago, so this discovery almost made me faint.

Day 137/365 - Okinawa soba!

While it isn't as good as Okinawa soba served in Okinawa; really, when is an instant packaged version ever as good? Well, excluding yakisoba - Sapporo Ichiban's yakisoba is fantastic. Okay, Ajinomoto pork gyoza is quite good, also.

If the noodles appear dissimilar to soba's round dark buckwheat appearance, Okinawa soba utilizes a wide and flat noodle made of wheat. When the noodles are sold fresh, they are lightly coated in oil, have a yellower hue, and is denser.

As anyone can imagine, I nursed this bowl of noodle soup with spinach, egg, and shichimi togarashi. The powdered broth that came with the noodles is katsuo-based.

Day 137/365

Despite my suspicion that the noodles availability is a fluke, finding Okinawa soba all the way out here has given me hope that, one day, Tulip may be available here.

- Cassaendra

Autumn Blooms

2011-10-25T23:58:00.000-04:00

As if desperately holding on to the last strands of summer, these blooms and berries are on its last week before the frost forecast later this week.

Day 136/365

Gas stations aren't exactly where I would expect pretty flowers. If there is any kind of landscaping, I've noticed most gas stations throw down some hardy shrubbery that can be run over and a layer of soot would go unnoticed.

Day 136/365

Autumn is my favorite time of year partly because of the vibrant oranges, reds, and golds. It's funny that these lively colors are a result of the lack of chlorophyll, what we associate with life.

Day 136/365

One of these days, I'll try one of these berries in the hope they don't make me violently ill...or afflict me with something similar to pine mouth, where everything I eat would be shoved into one category - bitter.

- Cassaendra

Tail of Two Cats

2011-10-24T23:26:00.000-04:00

Day 135/365

Akemi chills out with a couple of street urchins.

- Cassaendra

Four Freedoms

2011-10-23T23:50:00.000-04:00

Day 134/365

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.

The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want—which, translated into universal terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants-everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world.

That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.

—Franklin D. Roosevelt

It wasn't until today that I discovered the statue is attributed to FDR's State of the Union speech in 1941, also known as the Four Freedoms speech.

- Cassaendra

Octavofest

2011-10-22T23:42:00.000-04:00

Today, I made a card on a manual portable self-inking printing press like the ones from the 19th century.

Day 133/365

As part of the month-long Octavofest celebration, representatives from the Morgan Conservatory (Bruce, exhibition coordinator) and Zygote Press (Liz, co-founder) held a program at the Brooklyn library discussing paper and printmaking at their respective studios.

We learned about various printmaking techniques -- relief (woodcuts), intaglio (acid etching), lithography, screenprinting, monotype, and monoprint -- able to see and feel examples of each, as well as handle some of the specialized tools used.

For many years, I have been interested in papermaking, bookbinding, and printmaking. Aside from binding a notebook over 15 years ago to take notes for a class, I have never seriously pursued those interests. I still have my bookbinding supplies and a reference book, Nonadhesive Binding by Keith Smith. Perhaps I should pick them up and give it a go?

- Cassaendra

The Spice Must Flow

2011-10-21T22:39:00.000-04:00

I couldn't resist...

Day 132/365

It's been a fairly wet summer so I've been fortunate to see so many different types of mushrooms. I wish there as a way of identifying these fungi.

Day 132/365

These delicate looking mushrooms were growing along the trunk and main branch of a tree. It was contorted in a way that made it a bit difficult to dive in and take a picture I could be satisfied with. Not being a good photographer doesn't help either!

- Cassaendra

Wit Whiz

2011-10-20T23:20:00.000-04:00

Day 131/365

This time, I ordered my cheesesteak "wit Whiz." Yeah, I'm still hung up on onions, so it's not because Original Steaks and Hoagies doesn't do it right.

We ordered this to-go, so it isn't exactly an optimal example of their product. They held up well considering the situation. While I'm not a bread fan, I do love me some Amoroso rolls, and could easily see myself munching on their rolls throughout the day.

- Cassaendra

Original Steaks and Hoagies
10735 Ravenna Rd
Twinsburg, OH 44087-3107
Tel: (330) 998-6574

And Everything Nice

2011-10-19T23:55:00.001-04:00

Day 130/365

As a seasonal treat, A Cookie and a Cupcake have Halloweenified a few of their cupcakes with candy corn and black and orange sprinkles. I went for the pumpkin spice cupcake with candied pecans ($2.50).

The cake was pretty good. I was surprised how much the buttercream tasted like straight butter. My half was wolfed down in 2 bites.

- Cassaendra

A Cookie and a Cupcake
2173 Professor Ave
Cleveland, OH 44113
Tel: (216) 344-9433

Slender Spindles

2011-10-18T23:47:00.000-04:00

I've never given porch spindles much thought, figuring they were all pretty similar until these caught my eye.

Day 129/365

First, they were painted a rather vibrant color. Second, they were very skinny. Together, they were difficult to miss.

When I walked by, the style and color combined gave off a funky lenticular appearance. This compelled me to pace back and forth in front of this house. I probably creeped out the owner.

As a result of this...discovery...I would like to photograph more porches spindles.

- Cassaendra

Bistro Redux

2011-10-17T23:39:00.004-04:00

A month or two ago, Bistro closed for a week for light remodeling.

I'm sure their pocketbook wouldn't consider it "light," but it isn't a drastic change like installing a 40' mechanized Godzilla that roars and spits fire any time someone yells, "Opa!"

Day 128/365

This was a pleasant change with the addition of some leather seats in the bar area and, I believe, a few panels painted and the addition of a couple of curtains. However, I could be remembering the interior incorrectly. Regardless, I like the way the restaurant looks.

I've never eaten here, but have been meaning to. An update including the meal will be posted...one day.

I ate at this location when it was called Potatocakes. The dish I ordered was a black Caribbean sauce with shrimp that was so hot, I ate 2 shrimp and went through 1 cup of rice. I thought my nose was going to bleed. The majority of the dish had to be packed up to be enjoyed at home with 2 cups of rice.

Perhaps we'll try them out some time in soon.

- Cassaendra

Bistro on Lincoln Park
2391 W 11th St
Cleveland, OH 44113
Tel: (216) 862-2969

Hole in One

2011-10-16T11:55:00.000-04:00

Day 127/365

Oops, I guess there was a hole in someone's rubbish bag full of acorns!

- Cassaendra

If It Fits

2011-10-15T23:40:00.000-04:00

It's mine.

Day 126/365

This fur coat has been on my mind for the past couple of weeks. I've never owned a fur coat -- I've never worn one. Getting one second hand for $65 seems like the best way.

The color variation is pleasing; however, the strap is questionable

I went in to try the coat on this evening. Well, it doesn't fit. I'm sure Bug let out an enormous sigh of relief when I turned my back.

- Cassaendra

Savory Sweet Potato Pancakes

2011-10-14T22:37:00.000-04:00

Day 125/365

Bug was in a creative mood last night and surprised me with an experimental dish using a couple of sweet potatoes that we procured for under $1.

Ingredients:
1 lb sweet potato, grated
1/2 - 2/3 c flour
2 eggs
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of allspice
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
cooking spray

Combine ingredients. coat pan with cooking spray, then fry up the pancakes.

After Bug grated the sweet potatoes, he did not set the potatoes aside in salt to later drain the liquid, as may be customary in some circles. Instead, he adjusted by adding flour incrementally until he was satisfied with the consistency.

The sweet potato pancakes were savory, sweet, with not too much spice to overwhelm the cabbage and red pepper and spinach chicken sausage that were also a part of the meal. There was enough spice the potatoes tasted like an indulgence.

I look forward to eating this again!

- Cassaendra

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

2011-10-13T23:50:00.000-04:00

To meet his friends, Roasted red pepper and Spinach!

Day 124/365

We recently purchased Casual Gourmet's chicken sausage. It is full of flavor and not greasy. I am not a big chicken fan - I don't hate it, but I don't love it - but I really like this. As a result, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the weekend to purchase more.

Bug made dinner. I ate.

Day 124/365

He created a tasty sausage and cabbage dish -- some olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper -- with yellow wax beans on the side. I look forward to eating this dish again!

- Cassaendra

Blue Lady

2011-10-12T23:08:00.002-04:00

Day 123/365

I can't explain why I love this display. I don't even wear hats because I look ridiculous in them. My closet holds only 3 blue articles of clothing, mainly because it's difficult for me to match indigo with black or charcoal grey.

- Cassaendra

Bookbug

2011-10-11T23:43:00.000-04:00

The books in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst branch of the Cuyahoga County Library System are housed in this elegant home. We have passed this place along Mayfield Road thousands of times and did not realize the mansion partially concealed by shrubbery along its perimeter was a library, despite the black wrought-iron sign that identified it.

Day 122/365

We were headed home when I pointed out the library sign to Bug. He quickly turned into the driveway. The place seemed like an adequate sized library driving past the street-facing side of the home. We drove past a covered driveway and discovered a small lane leading down a hill, behind the structure.

From behind (shown above), the handsome home turned into a magnificent mansion. We parked and peered through a thicket. The stroll to the library entrance was serene.

We entered at the ground level, which houses audio-visual media. The area was packed with people flipping through DVDs and CDs.

Day 122/365 - Ground level

Through a landing and up a narrow flight of stairs, the main floor opened up to several rooms with different uses and themes, like a children's meeting room.

Day 122/365

Upon entering the reading area, I gasped at the ornate grill and ceiling, the warm wood beams, chairs, the spacious layout, and the abundance of plants, and could not help but whisper to one of the librarians busily tapping away at a computer how fortunate she must feel to work in such a beautiful environment. She agreed, perhaps to get rid of the crazy lady that must have been raised by wolves.

Tell me this is not a beautiful library.

Day 122/365 - Reading room

At the far end of the room is a water fountain full of coins. Magazines are along one wall, and there is a walk-in nook dedicated to graphics novels.

I walked out borrowing two books, and Bug found a few as well.

- Cassaendra

South Euclid-Lyndhurst Library
4645 Mayfield Rd
South Euclid, Ohio 44121-4087
Tel: 216-382-4880

Fearless

2011-10-10T21:51:00.000-04:00

Day 121/365

This little squirrel was either brave or very curious. With Akemi just a few feet below waiting to play, it didn't appear the slightest bit intimidated, nor did it look like a possessed furball waiting for its chance to pounce on my face and claw my eyes out.

All the neighborhood folks were out walking their dogs since the weather was nice. We ran into 20+ dogs in a span of 30 minutes. Poor dogs - not because they were out, but when the weather is damp or cool, the streets are practically desolate and we may see 2-3 dogs in that same span of time.

- Cassaendra

Apple Butter

2011-10-09T23:57:00.000-04:00

The Apple Butter and the Ox Roast Festivals were held in Burton, OH this weekend. The weather was unseasonably warm and can be simply described as "not a cloud in the sky, not a care in the world." Great for a hay ride, funnel cakes, kettle corn, apple butter, and some ox roast.

Day 120/365 - Hay ride along Main St

The Apple Butter Festival was held at Century Village. Entrance fee was $7.00 per adult. Bug wasn't very pleased about that, but the man at the ticket booth was so jovial, it almost made up the price of admission.

Spices, fried batter, hay, and burning wood filled the air as we meandered around the historic village. It smelled like a festival.

Prior to moving to these parts, I had never heard of, let alone had apple butter. If you like spiced applesauce, you will love apple butter. We indulged in a slice of bread with a generous smear of apple butter for $1.00.

Day 120/365 - Cooking up apple butter

At the tent on the left, we heard glass clanking. A woman was placing canning jars side by side along several tables to prepare for the apple butter, which was sold under the pavilion to the right. Making apple butter appears to be quite labor intensive, with the contents being stirred constantly.

Other stalls included funnel cake, a sandwich that looked a lot like a Philly cheesesteak, apple fritters, and kettle corn.

Day 120/365 - Kettle corn

The lady looked like she was doing the most strenuous part of making kettle corn, bending over and swooshing the popped corn around. My lower back hurt just watching her. I kind of felt bad just standing there, so I asked Bug to take this picture. I wonder if people thought he was cutting in line. No one said anything.

Simultaneously being celebrated outside the Village were the Ox Roast Festival and Oxtoberfest. Polka was blaring at a tent cordoned off by a fluorescent orange plastic fence to keep the drunks in?

The aroma of meat was intoxicating.

Day 120/365 - That's some bad hat

We followed our noses and stood in a line that formed along the side of a wood shed. We shared an ox roast dinner -- undressed ox roast sandwich, baked beans, cole slaw, and horseradish ($9.00). The food was okay.

Day 120/365 - Oxtoberfest is over there

While standing in line for our dinner, I learned that Burton had the first phone in the state of Ohio. Oh, and the pumpkin pie ice cream for dessert really hit the spot. $2.50 is a fantastic price!

The festivals were a nice way to drag ourselves out of our cave and visit a town during the most beautiful time of year, as well as learn and experience a few things. I'm glad we did this!

- Cassaendra

Sunrise in My Eyes

2011-10-08T23:37:00.000-04:00

Last night, I set my alarm to wake up at 05:50 and woke Bug up at 06:50 so we...I...could take pictures of Downtown Cleveland, Interstate 90 (I-90), and construction progress of the new I-90 at sunrise.

I-90 is a major highway that runs 3,100 miles, starting from Boston, passing through Downtown Cleveland, and ending in Seattle. I-90 is shown below, mid-screen, traveling over the construction of the new I-90 bridge and the Cuyahoga River ("crooked river" in Iroquois).

Day 119/365 - 07:10

When Bug dropped me off at the apex of the Hope Memorial Bridge, I was surprised to hear the beeping and revving of heavy trucks echoing from below me working on I-90. A steady convoy of trucks drive in empty and exit with a load of what appears to be dirt.

Soon after I took my first picture (above), a bird flew overhead. It made me envious, to be able to see the world from its eyes.

Day 119/365 - 07:11

This morning was relatively warm 59°F. This would be a wonderful place to meditate with its persistent breeze and vista, were it not for the cars racing noisily down the bridge and the sounds of construction below.

The Hope Memorial Bridge is not a solid concrete bridge. Along its length, one could take discrete snapshots from its lower half of the wide concrete railing.

Day 119/365 - 07:12

On the other side of the Hope Memorial Bridge is the Downtown Cleveland skyline. From the left, Tower City complex, Key Bank, and Huntington Bank stand tall.

Day 119/365 - 07:13

While it isn't void of light, it still surprises me that a small city of people are working below. I am surprised people aren't bumping into each other. I keep envisioning myself working down there and needing 360° of rubber bumpers around my vehicle and stationary objects.

Day 119/365 - 07:15

The estimated time of completion is only 4-5 years. A transportation jugular and the gossiped state of the current bridge are incredible incentives to have this completed as soon as practicable.

The Hope Memorial Bridge is used by many people on weekdays, and to a lesser degree on the weekends. Cars were speeding by me as I walked along the bridge. Coincidentally, when I took this picture of Progressive Field, where the Cleveland Indians play, no cars passed by, making it look appear like a desolate strip.

Day 119/365 - 07:15

I ran down a portion of the bridge so I wasn't too late to take pictures of the numerous beams that sprouted from the ground recently. As I reached a third of the way to the end of the bridge, Bug passed by and picked me up. At first, I thought I was remembering incorrectly where the beams were located. He commented that he no longer saw the beams, that they must have gotten pounded into the ground yesterday. Of course!

Day 119/365 - 07:19

We turned around at the base of the bridge. The forklift was there to greet us. It was a bit unsettling since it remained motionless longer than we expected. I should be grateful, since it was long enough to take a photograph.

- Cassaendra

Pricklybug

2011-10-07T23:14:00.001-04:00

Day 118/365

I saw a pretty prickly pear in the grocery store and had to get it. I've never consumed one, nor seen a cross-section, so we bought one...three weeks ago.

Today, I found the lone prickly pear wrapped in a plastic bag, shoved in the back of the refrigerator behind the baking soda and that rusted jar of something.

Bug cut the fruit open. The purple meat was firm, but with the beat-up way it looked on the outside, we decided against eating it. I still don't know how a prickly pear tastes.

- Cassaendra

Sunrise

2011-10-06T21:40:00.002-04:00

Day 117/365

Around the time of the autumnal equinox (already passed), the Cleveland skyline at sunrise turns a voluptuous fiery orange.

The past two weeks, the weather has been overcast or rainy. As a result, I missed my opportunity to capture the burning cityscape this year as it lasts for less than a couple of minutes over a span of a few weeks.

The weather finally cleared up late yesterday, so this was all I could scrounge up this morning. While I am still grateful to see this...

Perhaps next year.

- Cassaendra

Hurry

2011-10-05T22:36:00.000-04:00

Day 116/365

Akemi hurries across the bridge. She doesn't like the way it sways from side to side, plus each segment tilts a few degrees front to back, but she does it because Bug asks her to.

- Cassaendra