Cricut Swarm Party

Today I invited a few people over for a craft party. I ordered up some Pat and Oscars so we had some munchies. Kimie brought over some wine and my favorite li hing sourbelt candies. Tricia brought Susiecake cupcakes and Joni made her famous apple dip. We chowed down on some food, then got serious about the crafting! I think we officially brainwashed Kimie into our Cricut cult...aka Cricult. Now to be part of this Cricult...you must first own a Cricut machine. Next, you must have Cricut advertising merchandise (Kimie now has a water bottle with the famous Cricut logo). I love crafting with other people, because you get so many great ideas. But at the same time, I see all these cool new things I want to buy. Tricia has the Gypsy and I really want that (Kirk...hint hint, Gypsy...and no, not a woman). We all did a project or two, but it was just fun to spend time together, letting the creative juices flow, and doing something occupationally meaningful and productive with our hands (that's the OT in me). Anyone, else interested in joining the Cricult, or if you would like further information about it, please contact me!

Bob's Okazuya...a BIG Plate of Goodness

Kirk and I had a nice double date lunch with his sister Kimie and her boyfriend Brice. They introduced us to this awesome hole-in-the-wall Hawaiian plate lunch joint in Gardena. Brice is from Hawaii so he knows all the places to eat at out here. And lucky for me, there are a lot of places in the South Bay. It's nice to learn about more places to eat and it's always great to eat with friends. The food is good and huge, so come hungry. I liked the portuguese sausage fried rice and the mac salad was good. Kirk had the nori chicken which I guess they are well known for. It's really casual and the people there are super friendly. Sundays, they have a live Hawaiian band which sounds nice, but can get a little loud.

Bob's Okazuya
16814 S Vermont Ave
Gardena, CA 90247

Breakfast at the Ocean House

Lately Kirk has been spending the weekend at my house. We try to eat healthy and light when we're at home. And since the weather has been so nice, we've been enjoying our breakfast on sundays, al fresco. Today, I made fruit smoothies...very simple, just frozen costco berries, Kirkland vanilla soy milk, and a banana. I don't feel like you need anymore sugar or ice. I blend mine in my Cuisinart Food Processor. Kirk thought it was cute that I cut a straw and stuck it in the glass to drink.

Melt in your Mouth Tonkatsu

Shin, Kirk and I grabbed a bite to eat at Kagura before seeing Inception this past weekend. Both very good! This is my second time at Kagura and I feel that it is the best tonkatsu served at a restaurant. They use prime choice meats that have just the right fat content. The food is pretty reasonable and the ambience of the restaurant is great. Even though it looks fancy, it is pretty kid friendly. I decided to try the Katsu don (tonkatsu cooked in a flavorful egg mixture). Shin and Kirk shared a bunch of dishes as well as a nice bottle of shochu. See pictures....next time you're in the south bay, make sure you try this place!

Chicken Katsu with oroshi
Eggplant with miso
Millefeuille Tonkatsu (must try...haven't seen this dish anywhere before, very unique)
Miso Kurobuta Grilled Pork
My Katsu-don Set
Shochu (one from our friends who we happened to run into at the restaurant)
Avocado and sashimi Salad

The South Philly Experience

I joined Kirk's group of co-workers for an after work drink at the Daily Pint on Pico and 23rd. Great place for a nice choice of beers on tap including my favorite Lindemann's Framboise (aka Raspberry Beer, aka punch in a beer stein). They also have every single kind of scotch/whiskeys as well as all types of bar games. But the best part was after the drink. We moseyed outside to grab a bite to eat from the very fragant food truck parked right outside the bar. The South Philly Experience (www.southphillyexperience.com) makes delicious cheesesteak sandwiches. Really tender pieces of beef, with sauteed onions, a soft chewy bread, and some of the best cheez whiz this part of the U.S. has to offer...hahaha. You're supposed to order is "wiz wit"...meaning cheese whiz and with onions. We also ordered fries which were pretty well seasoned and thick. The sandwich was so tasty and I don't think it was just because I was hungry or buzzed. The guys were super funny and always try to strike up conversation while you're ordering and waiting. I know there are a lot of trucks out there, but this one is a thumbs up to try....perhaps after a drink at the Daily Pint!