Life of Larisa or LOL

I'm ashamed to say this is the only Christmas present opening picture from 2010 that we have. I forgot to charge our real camera. I forgot to harass Isom to use his slightly better camera phone. So, here we have it. A two sips into my eggnog latte photo---unfocused, bad lighting, lazy camera operator, and oh yeah, with a PHONE. My apologies to the photography gods. I'm thinking my New Years Resolution should be to get my photo life in order. Get my photography act together. Do they make a camera that's as light and easy to use as my phone though?! At any rate, Santa brought Isom, I mean Gabe, a Wii. The boys have been standing in front of the couch, arms outstretched towards the t.v., and surprisingly sweaty ever since. I have yet to become involved in the Wii-ing. In due time. I've been too busy iPad-ing. Thanks Santa.

Tis the season and all that jazz. Too bad its too humid here to actually accomplish much in terms of putting together an authentic gingerbread house. The kids attempted anyway and had fun licking icing off semi clean fingers again. Their creativity shined and despite a gingerbread house that wasn't standing, it was a great way to spend Christmas Eve afternoon in Hawaii.

I know he's not my kid, but I just had to brag. What a cutie (Solomon that is...not Obama). Gabe's friend is constantly stealing the spotlight with how adorable he is. We are used to it. But never had I imagined he would be usurping the spotlight from The President! This kid is a riot.

When I was pregnant with Gabe, I ran our 2000 Honda Civic into the drive-thru wall of the local Burger King. Damage to car, one busted up drivers side mirror. Damage to me, none physically, but a whole lotta pride was sacrificed. Two years ago we owned what we now know was a lemon. Our 2004 Passat caused me immeasurable stress, money, and time lost from engine trouble to radiator (I think that's the right term) issues. A few months ago, well, I ran out of gas...on the side of H2 probably five miles from my house, and a minute after the Costco gas station exit. Quit your snickering. Today, was another CARtastrophe. I don't know who to blame for this one. All I have are the facts. I have been pumping gas for eighteen years. I have never had a mishap before. Today, I followed the standard pumping gas procedures. Today gas poured out of the tank of my car and splashed the concrete at my feet and doused the side of my car! The worst part was not the highly flammable liqui...

This used to be known as the "Cookie Caper". The boys were wearing capes (or aprons, whichever). Lehua baked delicious sugar and gingerbread cookies for us (I mean the kids) to decorate/eat. There were Christmas trees, snowmen, gingerbread men, houses, stars. And a lot of icing licking going on. It was messy. Thankfully the weather cooperated and we took the cookie shenanigans outdoors, where they were free to get icing, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and unknown edible goo all over the place. Cookie Caper 2010, a success.

...yet. If we have to endure 40 days and nights of this, then maybe. Yesterday, I ran all over Oahu delivering holiday cheer. I felt like Santa. Gabe was my lone reindeer. Can't exactly call him Rudolph...he does have the sniffles, but his nose hasn't turned red...yet. We began our holiday deliveries (on behalf of our friend Malia: mdenistraining ) around 11:00 a.m. at UH Manoa and ended around 3:00 p.m. in Pearl City. The fun pit stops carried us through....Starbucks (of course), Hokulani Bakeshop (duh), lunch at Boston's Pizza (nom, nom, nom). So despite the rain and being on the road, faux Rudolph and I had an enjoyable first day of Christmas Vacation. We saw countless Christmas displays, two couples getting married (they weren't gonna let the rain bother them either), an ambulance, a military tank convoy, and a partridge in a pear tree.

...was the book we read (okay, that I already read and didn't find the time to re-read, so I re-watched the movie instead) for this months book club. You would think we would go with a Christmas theme for our December book club. Instead we chose to go with an Indian theme to correlate with the book. I'm so glad we did. Our hostess with the mostess was Kim and she made several dishes that of course I can't name or spell. They were delicious and vegetarian. We did a little discussing, but mostly eating and laughing. We were in the spirit of the holidays. And I suppose our "white elephant" gift exchange counts as something Christmas-y. I came away with two Ziplock bags of Indian food leftovers (not part of the white elephant exchange) and a new stocking hanger (perfect, now I don't have to share with Isom). As for the book , it is a great read (I remember loving it the first time around...which was over two years ago). I also remember trying to read Gogol...

Are you done with your shopping? I am feeling pretty good about things right now...talk to me again in a few days and the story might be different. We have already received some great things in the mail and at least two of our many packages sent, have made it safe and sound to their destinations...crossing my fingers on the other ones. We are in the final days of "good behavior for Santa" at our house, and I am already in mourning. For the next week, Gabe will be the best behaved he's been all year. And in a week and two days we will have a monster child on our hands. Please keep us in your thoughts. Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season...and those last few days of good behavior for Santa.

A love of M&Ms is something Gabe and I have in common. Whenever he can, he will try to get me to buy him the giant M&M cookie from Cookie Corner. I give in from time to time. I know what he is going through after all. While Gabe loves the Cookie Corner, I love the Monster cookie---baked from scratch. I don't know who made up the name, but it is fitting. It is the monster of all cookies. I first learned, tasted, fell in love with this cookie when we were living in Washington. Isom's mom would make these and I would lose my mind. Oatmeal, M&Ms, peanut butter, an option to add nuts or raisins or both. It is so big and hearty, it is a meal. I decided to bake some as holiday gifts for co-workers, Isom's co-workers, and folks at Gabe's school (and lucky friends can partake in what's left). This cookie is not for the weak. You must be a serious cookie lover to appreciate the beast that is the MONSTER cookie. Or a be a beast yourself.

The best restaurants always have the worst lighting...for picture taking with your iPhone. Last night was the fab five (minus one...we missed you Julie) ladies Christmas dinner outing. We decided to skip a gift exchange with one another this year and just indulge on delicious food. The restaurant, the original Roy's in Hawaii Kai . The company, fun. The food, divine. The lighting, a sham. I really wanted to be able to showcase my monchong topped with fried okra on a bed of tofu and baby bok choy. I even brought my real camera to avoid such poor lighting/iPhone mishaps...but of course, I forgot to charge the real camera...so it died before I could take one single photo. Pre-dinner, Sarah curled my hair for me---you know, to look good in that bad lighting. If you haven't been to Roy's (or heard of it), don't let the cowboy name fool you. They serve up the best fish I have ever eaten. Period. I have eaten at three of their locations on Oahu and ordered a diffe...

Apparently baking is a competitive sport around here. Yesterday, I baked coconut chocolate chip cookies to send off to the mainland. I also baked my first batch of mochi. And today, not to be outdone, Isom has whipped up the old family recipe of ginger snap cookies. It's a holiday tradition, so I am happy, but miffed that my ginger snaps never turn out as good. I'll just eat my cookie and be grateful. Nice job Isom.

As with the books, this movie was the best of the series so far. I missed seeing the older siblings Peter and Susan, but good old cousin Eustace (both human and dragon form) made up for it. The best part about seeing this movie was Gabe thinking that cousin Eustace was actually cousin "useless". "Why did the kids keep calling that boy useless, momma?". Priceless. He's been full of one liners lately. This movie (and book) is full of adventure and I suppose I enjoyed it because of the ship/pirate-esque factor. We all enjoyed Narnia 3 (minus the D)...couldn't do the glasses and inflated price. This movie managed to unveil imagination of epic proportions while also engaging us with more adult minded questions and themes. Seeing Lucy struggle with wanting to be beautiful, Edmond struggle with living up to Prince Caspian and King Peter. I will gladly enjoy seeing this movie when it comes out on DVD. For lovers of adventure and magic, this really is the p...

...in Hawaii. And a visit to the movies to see the latest Narnia movie with the boys. But back to the velvet...maybe tomorrow I can stop into Baskin Robbins for the red velvet shake (which crazy enough, I've had one from a different restaurant before). Isom tasted the kid size scoop and hated it...which meant I was gonna love it. Sidetracked by my need to have cold red velvet, Gabe was able to sneak in an order of his favorite---mint chocolate chip. We walked around Town Center, took in their Christmas decorations, and even had an encounter with Santa...the one from Bad Santa (did you see this movie?)...his Santa pants were disheveled, his belt was lopsided, and I swear he was "staggering". He was still perfectly friendly to Gabe (thank goodness, I'd hate to have to yell at Santa) and even commented on Gabe's "pirate" sweater. Santa is a pirate at heart...this should be his new slogan.

I think this is as close to a Winter Wonderland as I'm gonna get this year. Incredible. This is all food. Well, except for the cotton. But, maybe that is edible too. This really puts my Gingerbread house to shame. Yesterdays morning walk was through Waikiki, we stopped into the Princess Kaiulani hotel and discovered a world of gingerbread winter. The Executive "Gingerbread" Chef was there giving a brief demo for a group of school kids...and me. They got to taste the frosting used in the display...I really considered sticking out my finger for my free taste too...

If you haven't caught on yet, I love food. Thus, always talking, picturing, tasting, eating, watching, enjoying it. For me, food is like a photograph. But better. Photos can bring up memories and recollections of fond days past---marriage (Happy 55th Anniversary Tutu), birth of a child, a concert, milestone birthday. Food can trigger this for me just as well, if not better than photos. Instead of a fleeting thought, by eating a meal (that is tasty), I remember whole periods of my childhood, replay conversations with friends, feel transported back in time. I had no idea I would be time traveling yesterday. Lehua and I were supposed to be going for a walk, hanging out a little, and then I would head home to get Gabe and mentally prepare (drinking cups and cups of tea and coffee) for another five hours of working in the Fitting Rooms. We did walk. And we enjoyed a rare thing called sunshine (it's been raining like the Pacific Northwest here lately). Then we were hungry...

You may have to wonder who the real Twilight fan is. After standing in line with "the people of Wal-mart" for an hour and a half at midnight, Isom came home with this Blu-ray copy of the third installment of the Twilight saga---Eclipse. And at 1:45 a.m. I watched it for the third time (twice in the theaters). It was a great way to spend a Friday evening after work.

The tree and lights are up. The no theme ornaments. The BRIGHT blue lights. The Christmas card is done. The slightly blurry, tilted head snaggly tooth Gabe, undecorated tree in the background Christmas card photo. If you don't receive one, it means I came to my senses and changed my mind about sending it. I say it every year, so why should this year be any different? I must get my act together to make a connecting Christmas theme for next years decorating. Forget Charlie Brown's pitiful tree. We've got the college dorm room of trees. It's fun for Gabe though, or that's what I'm telling myself. One day I aspire to have my inner Martha Stewart corralled enough to turn the house into a winter wonderland starting the day after Thanksgiving. But for this year, a few hodge podge ornaments and the blue light special will have to do.

No, I'm not Greek...it's a yummy place for a pit stop when you are Christmas shopping at the mall. Today was a much needed girls day. Me and the BFF spent time with her doing my hair (yay!), shopping, and eating new to us grub. I've always been a fan of Greek food. I have fond memories from my childhood in Atlanta, going to the annual Greek festival, and receiving Greek desserts from our neighbors every Christmas. When we arrived at the food court, I was not hopeful for anything other than a greasy slice of pizza (which, don't get me wrong, would have made me very happy). Instead, we were pleasantly surprised to see the words FAT and Greek in the same sentence...along with a small line (must be good then). She ordered the veggie and I ordered the falafel and we took bites of each. There was a spicy red mystery sauce on the side that I immediately poured all over my pita. The mixture of hummus, feta cheese, veggies, falafel, and spice was wonderful. The price ...

LOVE. THIS. MOVIE. It could be due to the actors. They are both great and not caught up in their own fame. From Donnie Darko and Rachel Getting Married, I fell in love with them. This movie is reason to love them more. It isn't a statement movie. It isn't a cry your eyes out movie. It isn't a cliffhanger on the edge of your seat movie. It is just a glimpse of a few moments (well, several, and most of them big) in the life of two people who happen to fall in love along the way. It is understated comedy and the type of movie that makes you want to read the book...is there a book? Who knows, but if there is, I'm finding it. The movie opens with a song from The Spin Doctors and already I knew I would find it perfect for my quirky movie tastes. I love it when I go to the movies and come out feeling like I've done something great by sitting around on my butt for two hours eating popcorn and peanut M&Ms. No matter the candy, I think you'll find you love t...

Survived another month...almost another year. December we meet again. The first of our Christmas parties is happening this weekend. It sounds swanky. Ala Moana Hotel. I am desperate for something non denim to wear. Too bad Old Navy doesn't sell cocktail ensembles. The first day of December (or Bill's---my brother-in-law pictured above---birthday--HAPPY BIRTHDAY!). I'm glad it's not my birthday because it is an absolute wreck outside. The rain has been coming down all night. So much for trying to straighten my hair last night. As the official month of Christmas begins, I realize that I am not as prepared for the impending chaos as I expected. No Christmas cards done. No Christmas tree purchased. No presents for Isom (sorry hon). So, I have 24 days to make it happen. Maybe I can kill a few birds at once...Christmas photo in front of freshly bought (already almost dead) Christmas tree, wrap it in a bow and call it good for Isom. No? Well, wish me luck.